He added that the city has invested R1.5 billion in infrastructure to accommodate the informal traders.
“(The) issuing of fines cannot be regarded as behaviours reminiscent of the Apartheid era and the Hawker Unit is a unit that was formed to inter alia regulate and see to creating an environment that allows for efficient and safe running of informal trade business,” said Nzama.
Dladla said the response from the city does not address the bureaucratic barriers for unregistered vendors to get permits leaving them at the mercy of Metro Police.
“It reeks of arrogance in totally disregarding the multitudes of traders who don’t have permits and want to earn an honest living,” he said.