The Department of Economic Development has sponsored the deployment of 250 new Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officials to assist with the implementation of the Informal Trading Policy in the inner city.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development in the City of Joburg, Nkululeko Mbundu, made the announcement during a stakeholder engagement meeting with representatives on Thursday, 09 June 2022.
Deputy Direictor Mmatshepo Chiloane-Oganne said the purpose of the meeting was to give an update on the rollout underway, including the launch of the digital trader’s permit system. The meeting also initiated the process to appoint the Informal Trading Stakeholder Committee as stipulated in the policy, which was approved by Council on 26 April 2022.
“The policy gives instruction to the City to ensure there is a timeous and considered implementation within a period of five years upon approval.
“The Informal Trading Stakeholder Committee will ensure alignment across City departments in service delivery relating to informal trade in the inner city. These departments will include Economic Development, Development Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Services, Community Development and Public Safety.
The committee, which will be chaired by MMC Mbundu, will comprise eight City officials, eight inner city informal traders’ representatives and four business stakeholders. It will ensure inclusivity of affected stakeholders’ interests in the implementation of the policy and allow for continuous engagement, transparency in the policing and management of the Informal Trade sector.
READ: JMPD cops get some love for closing monster potholes!
MMC Mbundu said, “By-law enforcement in the inner city has always been a major problem especially because of overcrowding. There are more people and traders than our capacity to ensure proper law enforcement.
“Recognising this, I spoke to MMC [for Public Safety] Cllr David Tembe and we agreed that these additional officers will go a long way in assisting us in the effective rollout of the informal trading policy.”The process to deploy the officials will get underway in the 2022/23 financial year, which begins on 1 July 2022.
