MODJADJISKLOOF, LIMPOPO — The Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality has come under fire after demolishing street hawker stalls along the R71 road near Modjadjiskloof, with vendors alleging the eviction was carried out without prior notice. The sudden demolition has left long-time traders devastated, stripping them of their primary source of income and resulting in the confiscation of their fresh produce.
Matthews Ngoako, a street hawker who has operated on this stretch of road between Polokwane and Tzaneen for nearly 20 years, expressed deep disappointment over the unannounced action. He described how municipal crews arrived and dismantled the wooden stalls unexpectedly. Ngoako highlighted that the confiscated stock included essential items such as bananas, oranges, nuts, avocados, and other fresh produce, which are vital for supporting their families. He noted that many of the affected vendors are pensioners who rely on this trade to provide for their grandchildren.
The hawkers emphasized their ongoing, unresolved struggles to obtain official trading permits. According to Ngoako, repeated attempts to regularize their operations were met with bureaucratic delays, with officials merely stating they were “busy.” The vendors are now calling on local authorities to lift red tape and prioritize the issuing of trading permits to vulnerable community members who have historically operated in the area.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality stated that the removals were necessary because the vendors were operating illegally. The spokesperson clarified that the R71 road is strictly designated as a “no trading zone,” meaning no trading permits can be issued for that specific area. This rule, they noted, is applied uniformly to all applicants, and previous requests to erect trading signs in the vicinity were similarly rejected to maintain regulatory compliance.
Despite the strict enforcement, the municipality indicated that proactive measures are underway to address the informal traders’ livelihoods. Plans are currently being developed to demarcate alternative land where street hawkers can legally trade without contravening municipal bylaws, aiming to balance informal economic survival with structured urban management.
Affected hawkers continue to urge the municipality to expedite these plans and provide clear, accessible pathways for legal permitting in the near future.
