Members of Operation Dudula joined demonstrations outside the Johannesburg High Court, where the City of Johannesburg and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) were locked in a legal battle over the removal of informal traders from parts of the inner city.
The dispute arose after the city began removing traders operating in undesignated areas without permits, as part of its efforts to clean up and regulate the Central Business District (CBD).
SERI, which represents the affected traders, argued that the city’s actions violated their constitutional right to earn a living.
For dozens of informal traders, the past month has been financially devastating. Many said they had lost their only source of income after being removed from their usual trading spots.
One trader said he understood that bylaws needed to be enforced, but believed the city’s approach was unfair.
“Cleaning Joburg is what I want to see happening, but stopping me from trading without notice and claiming that I’m illegal… then the mayor must think again,” said the trader.
Outside the court, Operation Dudula’s Sibongile Maseko supported the city’s stance, saying laws had to be respected.
“You cannot be selling anywhere. There are designated areas for hawkers. That is what the city was advocating for,” Maseko said.
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