Zuko Komisa

- Informal traders in Marabastad have threatened to resist future City of Tshwane by-law enforcement operations after the recent closure of the Marabastad Retail Market.
- Traders accuse the city of using by-law enforcement for political gain, while the city cites non-compliance with health, fire, and permit regulations for the market’s closure.
- A recent court order from the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria requires traders to submit all necessary applications by 8 August 2025, providing a temporary resolution to the dispute.
A standoff is brewing between informal traders and the City of Tshwane after traders in Marabastad warned they would resist future municipal crackdowns.
The threat comes in response to an operation led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya, which resulted in the closure of the Marabastad Retail Market.
We are cleaning up Marabastad One By One. Our law enforcement operation today focused on business districts: Marabstad Mini Market and Bella Ombre Train Station. A lot of small traders use these places to sell all types of goods. Our inspections were to check compliance with the… pic.twitter.com/L6sNMF6jU6
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) July 25, 2025
The Marabastad Retail Market, which consists of 49 stalls and a tea room, has been a focal point of the dispute. According to the traders’ organisation, 48 of the stalls have been operating under five-year leases since December 2023, with the final lease still being processed.
In a recent turn of events, the informal traders have gained a reprieve from the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. A court order was secured, which gives the traders a deadline of 8 August 2025 to submit all required applications to the city. This ruling provides a temporary resolution to the conflict as both parties prepare to formalise the traders’ operations.
In a recent conversation on Point of View with Phemelo Motene MMC for Spatial Planning and Economic Development, Sarah Mabotsa, has defended the city’s actions, stating that the operations are crucial for maintaining a safe and lawful market environment for everyone.
Listen to the full conversation here:
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