Mediation for informal traders in Joburg

THE City of Johannesburg has welcomed a recent judicial decision in the ongoing informal traders matter, acknowledging the court's ruling to refer the dispute to mediation.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Previously, The Star reported that the Gauteng High Court had instructed the city to fast-track the verification, registration, and allocation of informal traders who were removed from inner-city trading areas.

That process, scheduled to run from November 4 to 18, was aimed at ensuring compliance with municipal bylaws and restoring lawful trading for qualifying traders.

The court also ordered the city and trader representatives, including the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), to enter into mediation to resolve disputes over trading rights and designated spaces.

The ruling comes amid ongoing tensions following the city's crackdown on traders operating outside designated areas. While the city maintains that enforcement is necessary to uphold order, safety and municipal regulations, affected traders argue that the measures infringe on their constitutional right to earn a living.