VIDEO | Joburg explains rollout of new informal trading registration system

The City of Johannesburg will charge informal traders between R50 and R100 to rent their public facilities in order to sell their products.

This was revealed by the city during the city’s press conference hosted by mayor Dada Morero on Monday to clarify how the new registration system aimed at regulating informal trading will be rolled out.

Joburg’s executive director for economic development Mathopane Masha said most traders had initially misunderstood the process. He also clarified that the permits, which the city started rolling out two weeks ago, will initially be free.

“The issue is also around the costs. I think there was a bit of a problem in the media when the statement came out. The permits will be free when we issue them but the rental for the stalls depends on the size. So it will range from R50 to R100 or more per month but it will depend on the size and where the market is as well,” said Masha.

He said the clarification was necessary to ensure transparency as the city implements its informal trading policy and demarcates new legal trading spaces across the Johannesburg CBD.

There are between 20,000 and 25,000 informal traders across the city.

Economic development MMC Nomoya Mnisi said the city has been consistent in enforcing its by-laws since the start of its clean-up operations on October 2, particularly around De Villiers, King George and Plein streets, including Jabulani Mall in Soweto.

“Anyone can get the permit, South Africans who meet all the necessary requirements. By requirements, we mean you must have a valid ID verified by home affairs, a residential address in the City of Johannesburg, and if you are selling food, you must have a certificate of acceptability and a fire certificate,” she said.

Mnisi added that the city strictly follows immigration laws when dealing with foreign nationals.

“For non–South Africans, we are very explicit on that. We follow the Immigration Act on who is allowed to trade in South Africa. And we’ve seen that those illegal traders who we have pointed out to be non-South African have not yet come back into the space,” she said.

Morero urged South Africans not to lease their permits to undocumented traders.

“The weakness, which we must continue to highlight, is that South Africans often abdicate their own business interests and outsource their stalls to illegal and undocumented foreigners — and that creates tension in society.

“We must make a call to South African citizens: once you are issued a permit, it means you have demonstrated an interest to trade. Therefore, do what the city has supported you to do — trade,” said Morero.