Fine balancing act is needed with informal traders
The uMlalazi Municipality, as reported in our previous edition, has acted against illegal street traders by enforcing by-laws in eShowe.
Warnings were issued and illegal merchandise confiscated.
Unsurprisingly, the action – which also served as an anticrime measure - met with both approval and opposition.
Legal traders who are forced to apply for permits and adhere to by-laws, feel those who aren’t abiding by these rules have an unfair advantage and are uncontrolled and unrestricted in how and what they trade.
Fears are voiced that failing to adhere to health standards, for example, may lead to unhygienic and potentially harmful outcomes through the amount of litter generated, as well as through matters such as dodgy cooked food.
There is the added danger that the presence of illegal traders, many of whom might be foreign nationals, might invite xenophobic threats.
The selling of fake and counterfeit goods is massive business, and contraband is distributed via a highly organised system of delivery to traders at street level, lowering the value of genuine ‘labelled’ merchandise.
It is also well documented that many illegal traders offer under the counter drugs for sale.
On the other hand, there are many genuine people who simply cannot even afford the cost of a trading licence; they live hand to mouth on the proceeds of the few items, normally fruit and vegetables, they are able to sell.
They will also argue they are providing a much needed service, especially to daily commuters at bus and taxi ranks, who cannot afford to shop at supermarkets.
In the bigger picture, these informal markets are a hive of vibrant activity, often accompanied by blaring music and the constant loud entreaties to customers from microphones and loud hailers.
Keeping the spirit of entrepreneurship alive and giving the opportunity to make an honest rand needs to be balanced by ensuring health and safety standards and an equal playing field for all.
It’s an unenviable job for municipal administrators, and one that should be undertaken with great caution, balancing sympathy with the firm rule of law.