The City of Cape Town is planning to review the Informal Trading By-law so that informal trading in our city can continue to grow and be managed in a changing economic and social environment that supports the sector. As part of this process, the public have the opportunity until Friday 30 April 2021 to comment and make suggestions to improve the existing Informal Trading By-law, which will then be considered when drafting the amended By-law. Read more below:
The City’s Informal Trading By-law was first promulgated on 20 November 2009 and reviewed on 6 December 2013. The City intends to review it again and would like to have broad participation of all stakeholders in the process.
‘The City of Cape Town recognises the significance of the informal traders and its contribution to the economy and poverty reduction. Informal trading helps with creating employment opportunities that in turn contribute to the household income.
‘It is therefore currently an opportune time to review, not only the amazing work that has been done in the country with regards to the informal economy, but also the realities and lessons we have learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic. We want the public to be a part of this review process and encourage them, especially informal traders, to read the existing by-law and provide feedback, based on their experience, so that we can work together towards improving it and continue to grow and support this important sector.
‘All the comments and suggestions we receive will be evaluated and a review report will be compiled and submitted to Council, which will then make a recommendation on which comments and suggestions we will formally include in the process going forward,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management.
Once a draft amendment by-law has been prepared, stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide further comments or suggestions.
Where can you comment?
The public is invited to submit comments or suggestions to the municipality, in terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000.
The period for public comment started on Saturday, 13  March and will end on 30 April 2021.
The current by-law can be read here: Informal Trading By-law (2009) and amendments (2013).
Stakeholders can also access the information at:
- City Libraries
- Subcouncil offices
- Nearest Area Economic Development Office (see table below)
| Area | Contact number | Contact number |
| Central | 021 400 3131 (option 6) |
Goodwood Admin Building, Corner of Voortrekker Road and De Villiers Street, Goodwood |
| East | 021 417 4071 | 2 Ntaba street, Khayelitsha, Stock and Stocks Building |
| North | 021 400 5379 | 44 Wale Street,1st floor, Cape Town |
| South | 021 400 2325 | Ground Floor, Plumstead Municipal Offices, 3 Victoria Road, Plumstead |
