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An informal trader sells goods in Johannesburg’s CBD as the City processes thousands of new permit applications.
The City Of Johannesburg says it has received more than 3000 trading applications since a court order from the Johannesburg High Court in November, last year. The court instructed the City to urgently speed up the verification, registration, and allocation of trading spaces for informal traders.
WATCH | Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says of the 500-odd informal traders on the list given during the court proceedings, only 93 have come forward for registration and verification, all of whom are South African citizens and will be allocated proper trading spaces. pic.twitter.com/PtTYiFPNdw
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 11, 2025
Hundreds of informal traders marched to the City of Johannesburg’s offices demanding that the metro urgently speed up the issuing of trading permits.
WATCH | DA Federal Chair Helen Zille says while bylaws must be enforced, there should be spaces designated for informal traders in the City of Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/F7nAdf8QTq
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 1, 2025
City spokesperson Mathopane Masha says over 1 000 permits have been processed, but only 300 traders have been collected so far.
“We’ve received more than 3 000 applications since then. However, if you look at the process, there are traders who have historically been trading at the university and already have all the necessary permits. We are obviously prioritising them in terms of issuing permits, so that is an important point to make,” says Masha.
Masha says since the court order, they have also had many new traders coming forward, or people expressing interest in applying for permits.
“While this is positive, it is important to indicate that before you can receive a permit, you must have a stall where you intend to trade. Otherwise, we will continue to experience chaos in the inner city,” he adds.
WATCH | SABC’s Mpho Sithole speaks to informal traders in Sandton on their expectations, challenges, and hopes for the State of the Nation Address. pic.twitter.com/hzjUlb8Q16
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 11, 2026
He says they are continuing to work with the traders and assist them throughout the process.
VIDEO | Permit delays frustrate Johannesburg informal traders
