‘Unlicenced’ hawkers are being evicted from Johannesburg suburbs

‘Unlicenced’ hawkers are being evicted from Johannesburg suburbs

In response to community concerns about the increasing presence of hawkers (informal traders) in the Pineslopes and Fourways areas, ward councillors and other local organisations have taken action.

Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy arranged for environmental health inspectors to conduct compliance checks on street vendors at the Sunset Avenue and Forest Street intersection.

This move was aimed at ensuring that vendors operate in adherence with the relevant City of Johannesburg regulations. Reddy also wants to promote a safe and healthy environment for the community.

He acknowledged that informal traders need to earn a living, but stressed the importance of following local by-laws, especially regarding waste disposal and trading locations.

“We are faced with several issues when it comes to waste control … some informal traders dispose of dirt on the pavements,” Reddy told the Fourways Review.

“We have seen too many of them who concentrate on these areas. The by-laws clearly indicate that no one should open a business on provincial roads, which makes it illegal.”

Reddy encouraged traders to obtain licenses from City opportunity centers, in order to trade lawfully and responsibly.

“We found that many of [the hawkers] are operating without licenses. Going to the City opportunity centres will help in guiding them on where they can trade, without contravening the by-laws,” he added.

Informal traders evicted

Non-profit organisation Future City Fourways has carried out another “clean-up” of informal traders at the corner of Sunrise Blvd and Sunset Avenue. Following the eviction, a temporary fence was erected around the area.

Reminding the community of the by-law regulations, Hans Jooste, the managing director of Future City Fourways, said:

“You may not erect a structure other than one approved by the council for this purpose. Make sure it does not obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement.”

“You may not trade on a sidewalk where the width of such sidewalk is less than four metres, within five meters from an intersection.”

Sandton hawkers must pay a fee, or move out

With rising unemployment, another Johannesburg ward councillor says that hawking has become a prominent issue facing Sandton and surrounding areas.

In March, The South African reported that Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackleford had advised local street vendors to get an informal-trading permit, or face eviction.

She too sympathised with and supported the entrepreneurial spirit of local street traders. Shackleford was responding to a pop-up hair salon outside the St John’s United Church at the corner of Benmore and Pam roads in Sandton, that had become problematic.