The City of Johannesburg has intensified its crackdown on illegal practices within the informal trading sector following alarming reports that some local traders are subletting their designated stalls to foreign nationals.
The initiative, prompted by a recent court ruling, aims to verify traders, issue valid permits, and allocate trading stalls in line with municipal regulations, a crucial step toward formalising and protecting the city’s bustling informal economy.
The city has entered the final stretch of its rigorous verification drive for informal traders, a two-week process that began on November 4 and runs until November 18, aimed at tightening oversight, restoring order, and ensuring that only legitimate traders occupy stalls across Johannesburg.
However, City officials have raised concern over a troubling trend uncovered during the process: an increasing number of local traders are renting out their stalls to foreign nationals.
“This practice undermines the integrity of our informal trading environment and contravenes the terms of their permits. The city takes this matter very seriously and is taking swift action to address these violations,” the city said.
To protect the interests of legitimate traders and maintain fairness, officials confirmed that a full investigation has been launched into cases of stall subletting. Anyone found to be engaging in this practice could face severe consequences, including the cancellation of their trading permits.
The city emphasised that accountability and integrity are essential to maintaining a fair and lawful trading environment.
“We encourage all traders to comply with the regulations and participate in the verification process honestly. We understand the importance of informal trading in our economy and the role it plays in providing a livelihood for many families. To foster an equitable trading environment, we ask all traders to cooperate with City officials to ensure a transparent and fair marketplace,” the city added.
Reaffirming its stance, the city said it remains committed to supporting Johannesburg’s local economy and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all who operate within the law.
As the verification process nears its conclusion, officials say the message is clear: informal trading must remain a space for opportunity, not exploitation.
The Star