The vicious war that once characterised relations between the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council and street vendors seems to be heading towards a peaceful settlement, government news agency BuaNews reported on Monday.
The local council has come up with a deal to ensure pavement traders continue doing business, albeit in a more organised way, the agency reported. The deal will see the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council providing stalls for thousands of vendors around the city.
According to the council’s media liaison officer, Nthantisi Modingoana, the purpose of the project is to provide an attractive and functional pavement for informal traders.
“The city is currently providing stalls in a portion of the inner city and Lenasia. There is a demand for pavement-based trading. At the same time, if informal trading is not properly facilitated and regulated, then difficulties can arise with regard to the urban environment,” said Nodingoana.
Khensani Ngobela (28), a hairdresser who plies her trade at the corner of Bree and Claim streets, said she is relieved the council is doing something to improve her condition.
“I also don’t like the idea of doing my work on the pavements because even if I don’t have to pay rent, it causes a lot of inconvenience, especially to pedestrians. The other problem is that if caught by police one risks losing the entire day’s income, as one has to pay a R300 fine.
“The stalls will make my business legal like any other business, and for the first time, I won’t have to run away from police officials,” she said.
Modingoana said hairdressers such as Ngobela will be allocated special stalls.
“These stalls are designed in such a way that they take into account the needs of traders such as cooked-food providers, those roasting mealies, [sellers of] peanuts, braziers, hair braiders and barbers, photographers and telephone rentals.
“The other type of stalls are for those selling fruits and vegetables and clothing,” he explained to BuaNews. — I-Net Bridge