Permits, Protests and Power | Inside Johannesburg’s battle over informal trade

Johannesburg’s inner city has become the epicentre of a growing clash between economic survival and public safety, with thousands of livelihoods at stake.

What began as a protest in the CBD last Thursday has since escalated into a series of tense engagements between informal trader representatives and the City of Johannesburg. At the heart of the dispute are allegations of harassment, unlawful confiscation of goods and what traders describe as heavy-handed enforcement by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

During meetings held at Jorrissen Place in Braamfontein on Wednesday, informal traders accused metro police of exceeding their mandate, confiscating stock, sidelining designated block leaders and disrupting businesses that many families rely on for daily survival.

They argue that by-law enforcement operations have left some vendors too fearful to return to their trading bays.

Trader representatives further argue that the City has turned a blind eye to what they describe as ongoing intimidation and inconsistent enforcement. Some claim they have complied with verification processes introduced after last year’s clean-up operation, yet remain barred from operating.

City officials, however, insist that enforcement operations in the CBD are necessary to address what they call a growing trend of food traders operating without valid permits, in unsanitary conditions and in fire-prone spaces where open flames and unsafe gas connections pose serious risks.

Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, has previously stated that the City has not received a verified list of all affected traders – making it difficult to assess the full scope of alleged non-compliance.

While acknowledging the vital role informal traders play in sustaining the local economy, officials stress that compliance with by-laws and health regulations is non-negotiable.

In an effort to demonstrate progress, the City’s Department of Economic Development says it has printed more than 1,220 informal trading permits. However, more than 950 of those permits remain uncollected.

Acting Director, Patson Khosa, says the department is working to distribute the outstanding permits and accelerate regulatory processes across the inner city.

Officials also confirmed that faded trading bays are being re-marked in parts of the CBD – including North Street, King George, Eloff and Joubert streets – with further demarcations expected for other regions.

Despite these measures, some verified traders argue that administrative progress has yet to translate into meaningful relief on the ground.

Both parties describe the engagements as ongoing, with draft agreements and implementation timelines expected in the coming days.

For traders, the outcome could determine whether they return to stable incomes or continue operating under uncertainty. For the City, the challenge remains balancing economic inclusion with public safety in one of Africa’s busiest urban centres.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe