A Johannesburg court ordered municipal authorities to complete registration and stall assignments for informal merchants within 14 days, offering relief to more than 500 vendors displaced during recent enforcement operations. Judge Brad Wanless issued the directive on Monday, November 3, requiring officials to begin verification procedures immediately and finish by November 18. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa filed the urgent petition after traders lost their street locations without proper administrative review.
City attorney Leslie Mkhabela acknowledged that the designated spaces number between 200 and 300, falling short of total demand. Officials expect applicants to decrease substantially once eligibility requirements are eliminated for some claimants. Municipal authorities plan additional market facilities to accommodate legitimate vendors while maintaining order in commercial districts. The South African Informal Traders Forum welcomed the judgment after evictions began on October 2 along De Villiers Street and expanded to Soweto and Alexandra neighborhoods.
Rights advocate Nkosinathi Sithole warned that the organization will return to court if deadlines pass without compliance. Vendors must register during the two weeks to secure consideration for available positions under regulations published in March 2012.
City attorney Leslie Mkhabela acknowledged that the designated spaces number between 200 and 300, falling short of total demand. Officials expect applicants to decrease substantially once eligibility requirements are eliminated for some claimants. Municipal authorities plan additional market facilities to accommodate legitimate vendors while maintaining order in commercial districts. The South African Informal Traders Forum welcomed the judgment after evictions began on October 2 along De Villiers Street and expanded to Soweto and Alexandra neighborhoods.
Rights advocate Nkosinathi Sithole warned that the organization will return to court if deadlines pass without compliance. Vendors must register during the two weeks to secure consideration for available positions under regulations published in March 2012.
