Informal traders seek alternative trading space after City crackdown
Informal traders operating along the roadside near China Town in Windhoek are calling on the City of Windhoek to provide them with an alternative trading site after being ordered to stop what the municipality says is illegal trading.
The traders gathered at the City of Windhoek offices on Friday, saying many of them have been operating from the area for more than 15 years and rely on their businesses to support their families.
According to the City, traders had been asked to elect representatives to meet with officials and discuss possible solutions, including relocation to legal trading areas.
However, instead of sending only their representatives, a larger group of traders arrived at the municipal offices, prompting officials to inform them that the meeting had been arranged exclusively for the elected representatives.
City officials asked the remaining traders to leave the premises, saying the gathering had not been authorised.
The traders said they are prepared to vacate the roadside trading area, but only if the City identifies a suitable location where they can continue operating legally.
The standoff comes as the City continues efforts to enforce municipal by laws while informal traders seek assurance that they will not lose their source of income.
