Members of the African Hawkers Association, who were recently removed by the Department of Public Safety under the King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, marched last week to the municipal offices to submit a petition.
The hawkers were displaced from York Road and Sutherland Street in Mthatha’s Central Business District (CBD), where they had previously been operating.
They were joined by members of various political organisations who came to show their support.
Babalwa Nkosiyane, Regional Coordinator of the Mkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) in the OR Tambo District, stated that 70% of the hawkers are members of her organisation, which is why they chose to lend their support.
“Out of frustration, after sitting at home for two months without an income and facing abuse from the municipality, the hawkers approached us for intervention. The municipality has been confiscating their goods on York Road and Sutherland Street. We tried to engage with the municipality, but it was all in vain,” said Nkosiyane.
She added that the group decided to march to demand answers and insisted that the municipality must allow them to continue with their businesses on these two streets.
According to her, municipal officials refused to engage with the hawkers, citing ongoing court proceedings, despite the hawkers expressing their willingness to reach an out-of-court settlement.
“We acknowledge that there is a court case scheduled for August. However, as we hand over this petition, we are giving the municipality 21 days to respond to our grievances. If they fail to do so — court case or not — we will shut down Mthatha CBD. The level of frustration among these people is painful; they are merely trying to put food on the table, but the municipality is working against them.”
She emphasised that many of the hawkers are the sole breadwinners for their families and have now endured nearly two months without any income.
Simthembile Ndungane, Chairperson of the African Hawkers Association in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, accused the municipality of unfairly targeting hawkers trading on the two main streets of the CBD.
“It has now been two months since hawkers have been prohibited from trading. If they attempt to sell their goods, they are arrested by the municipality. We are joined by various political organisations that recognise the hardship we are experiencing. Since 2016, the municipality has been attempting to drive hawkers out of these streets,” said Ndungane.
He highlighted that they had made numerous efforts to engage with municipal officials, arguing that the municipality should not remove traders from areas that attract customers.
“What is worse is that these hawkers are being removed without being allocated alternative trading spaces.
“They had promised to close Owen Street and build stalls, designating it as a formal business area, but that promise has not been fulfilled. Now they are using force and municipal police officers to remove hawkers.”
Sonwabo Mampoza, spokesperson for the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, confirmed that hawkers had been removed in early June 2025. He explained that the Department of Public Safety is working to improve the appearance and cleanliness of Sutherland Street and York Road.
“To achieve this, the municipality has decided to require street vendors to vacate these two streets,” said Mampoza.
He clarified that the municipality has repeatedly attempted to engage with the hawkers, informing them that trading on these streets is prohibited and that no trading permits have ever been issued for them.
“Despite multiple warnings, some vendors continued to operate. We advised them to consult with the Department of Public Safety to secure allocation to suitable vending areas. There are designated streets for trading, and we encourage hawkers to follow the correct procedures.”
Mampoza noted that banks and other businesses operate in the affected area, making it unsuitable for informal trading.
“This is not a new initiative. Although there has been resistance in the past, we have consistently reminded hawkers of the regulations.” Regarding the previously announced plan to convert Owen Street into a flea market, Mampoza stated that consultations with stakeholders are ongoing.
