4 days ago
High Court gives market traders until August 8 to apply
Following the Marabastad Retail Market shutdown last week, traders have since been ordered by the Gauteng Division of the High Court to submit their licensing applications by August 8.
The court handed down the decision on July 31, after Mayor Nasiphi Moya led a by-law operation which led to the shutdown of the market.
Over 30 applicants were listed on the court's order, and presiding Judge Elmarie van der Schyff said this decision was taken to ensure traders adhere to the metro's by-laws.
'All traders and occupants of the market are to submit any and all required applications to the City of Tshwane by no later than Friday, August 8.
'These submissions and applications are required to ensure compliance with any required legislation, by-laws, regulations, and policies which govern the City of Tshwane,' the judge said.
Since the order was announced, MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Clr Sarah Mabotsa, has expressed gratitude for the High Court's decision.
'The Department of Economic Development and Spatial Planning reminds traders and businesses, and especially those businesses dealing with food products, that permission to trade or operate a business is not granted through a lease agreement between a landowner and a trader or business owner,' Mabotsa said.
During the market's shutdown last week, the mayor said that the private entity leasing the property was illegally subleasing to vendors without any licenses to conduct business in the metro.
The MMC says traders must attend a workshop before being able to trade in the city.
'Trading permits and compliance with fire and health safety are required for approved trading. [Permission] to trade or operate a business within the City of Tshwane requires applicants to attend a compulsory workshop on street trading in Tshwane,' Mabotsa said.
Traders are required to bring the following for their licensing applications:
– Certified copy of their identity document
– A copy of their lease agreement for the trading space
– The applicant must approach the Health Department and Fire Division to complete the compliance processes by paying for food handling training at the Health Department before the certificate of acceptability can be issued
Any person seeking to trade must approach the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department on the 3rd Floor, Middestad Building, to apply for trading permits.
Applicants may also enquire by sending an email to [email protected] or calling Kehla Mzizi at 012 358 4425/4490.
The fresh produce market has since been reopened after criticism of the metro's move to shut it down in the first place.
The DA filed a motion during the July 31 council sitting to have the market reopened, and a thorough investigation done on the eligibility of traders to continue operations there.
The debate and subsequent vote were shot down by the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA-led Tshwane Council.
Watch here:
This is the Marabastad Retail Market, a property of the City that has been hijacked. Today, we reclaimed it. This building was leased to an individual who then decided to sublease it to other people – breaching the terms of the contract with the City. Residents of Tshwane this…
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) July 25, 2025
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