Informal traders urge mayor to grant permits

A NUMBER of informal traders who have been forced to halt their business during the 21-day lockdown have urged mayor Dan Plato to issue them with permits, despite new regulations which now permit traders to operate.

In an open letter to Plato, the Cape Peninsula Informal Traders’ Forum said there had been forces within the council who refused to issue these permits.

“While we await favourable news from the central government on distribution of emergency funds to the informal sector, its decision to relax restrictions on informal food traders is welcomed. However, the City has seen fit to mutiny against this legislation and refuses to issue the necessary permits… even threatening the arrest of those who venture out, even with government endorsement and the required Personal Protective Equipment.

“We demand, sir, that as the first citizen of our City, you immediately instruct the relevant departments within your administration to comply with the national directive and issue the permits forthwith,” the letter said.

SA Informal Traders Alliance president Rosheda Muller said: “We have two big worries and stress, the ones who have no funds and the ones who are able to go out who are being refused by the City. We were locked down earlier, now there has been relaxation and our traders are well aware of the precautions that need to be taken.

“We are concerned about the policies the City is coming to us with and how the rest of the country has received the permits. Easter is next week and our fisher traders need permits to buy the fish.” Muller said the mayor did not acknowledge the letter.

“They must give us the permits so we can continue our trade. They have no heart in the City, we’re very upset and we really need to relook who our partners in the sector are,” Muller said.

Mayco member for Urban Management Grant Twigg said: “The City has written to the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to seek urgent clarity regarding informal traders… in the amended regulations.

“The minister in her statement refers to informal traders in general but also speaks about informal food traders, which is also very broad. Clarity is needed as it’s important for the City to manage its processes and implement the national regulations as amended.

“As a City, we have one clear objective – to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

They must give us permits so we can continue our trade Rosheda Muller SA INFORMAL TRADERS ALLIANCE