CoJ's Human Settlements Dept swoops in to remove unauthorised informal traders

The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Human Settlements is returning to the inner city on Thursday morning to remove unauthorised informal traders.

The metro has been working to tidy up the CBD, which involves ensuring that street vendors operate only in designated trading areas.

The Gauteng High Court has given the city until 18 November 2025 to register and verify all informal traders.

Acting mayor Eunice Mgcina said the city will not back down from its plans to ensure the vendors have trading permits.

“We want to assure our residents that this is done on their behalf. We intend to do good things for them and nothing else. We want them to work with us as the city so that we can achieve what we want to achieve.”