19 November 2025 – The National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA), which represents the voice of over 2 million informal traders in South Africa, is calling on the City of Johannesburg to immediately implement a clear, fair, and transparent system for issuing permits and allocating trading sites now that the court-ordered verification process has closed.

 “The City must now prove that this exercise is about restoring order and fairness, not clearing traders out. The Mayor has made important commitments. We expect them to be honoured in a way that is consistent, humane, and easy for traders to navigate. No one should be excluded because the City failed to manage this system for years,” said Rosheda Muller, National President of NITASA.

NITASA warns that many traders targeted in recent enforcement drives have operated lawfully and openly for long periods, sometimes after previously holding permits. The organisation maintains that the underlying crisis stems from years of inconsistent by-law enforcement and the City’s failure to maintain an updated trading database. 

 Muller says the City’s next steps will determine whether the process becomes meaningful reform or simply a trigger for new waves of removals. 

NITASA’s expectations for the City’s next steps

1. Transparent issuing of permits and site allocations – The City must clearly explain how permits will be issued, how sites will be allocated, and what traders should do if their verification is still pending. Public, accessible information is essential for fairness.
2. A fair pathway for those not yet verified – Traders who missed the initial window must not be shut out. The City should establish a simple follow-up process, especially for long-standing traders who were not reached during the two-week period.
3. Rights-based enforcement only – Enforcement must be lawful and case-specific. A sweeping clampdown would undermine the court’s intention and punish traders for the City’s past inaction.
4. A continuous, city-wide registration system – Verification cannot be a once-off event. Johannesburg needs a permanent, decentralised registration and permitting system across all regions, not one limited to the CBD or short-term deadlines.
5. Structured engagement with trader organisations – Long-term order requires collaboration. The City should work with organised trader bodies to co-design trading zones, permit systems and enforcement policies.

Background to this matter

The Gauteng High Court ordered the City of Johannesburg to verify and register informal traders between 4-18 November 2025. The verification deadline has now passed, and the Mayor has announced that permits and trading spaces will be issued to verified traders.

ENDS

For interviews, please call Rosheda Muller, National President of NITASA on 081 764 2251