MMC Mbundu promises to collectively address informal traders' concerns

By Business Reporter.

Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Nkululeko Mbundu (pictured above), met with various leaders of informal trader associations from across the seven regions of the City on Wednesday, 23 February 2022.

The purpose of the meeting was for MMC Mbundu to give the associations an update on the status of the Informal Trading Policy and to allow them an opportunity to table additional issues that will require an intervention from the MMC.

At that engagement, challenges highlighted included the harassment of traders by some JMPD officials, unauthorised confiscation of goods and undue demands for permits and trading documents. Other issues included the lack of regular communication from some city officials on progress relating to the policy amendment.

MMC Mbundu reassured the associations that he will take the necessary actions and work with Public Safety MMC Cllr David Tembe to ensure a safe and conducive environment for all permitted informal traders.

"Trading on the streets is not an easy thing. When you listen to some of the stories of how traders have been treated by some officials within JMPD, this needs a broader engagement with JMPD and other departments that play a role in this informal trade space.

"We are going to have a stakeholder task team set up after the Informal Trading Policy has been implemented. The traders themselves will have 40% representation so that their interests are taken care of and they are not subjected to violation again," MMC Mbundu said.

The Informal Trading Policy is under review by the Department of Economic Development (DED) Section 79 Oversight Committee. The committee will next sit on 4 March 2022 and it will be tabled at Council on 16 March 2022. On adoption by Council, the policy will then be implemented, and in the following weeks the online permit system will officially be rolled out and traders will be trained on how to use the system.