High Court Orders Joburg to Act Fast on Informal Traders

A Johannesburg High Court judge has ordered the City of Joburg to verify, register, and allocate trading spaces to informal traders within just two weeks. The ruling, delivered by Judge Brad Wanless, follows an urgent court challenge by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) on behalf of the South African Informal Traders Forum (SAITF). Traders accused the city of unlawfully evicting them from long-standing trading spots across the inner city in October. The court’s ruling effective from 4 November forces the city to complete the process by 18 November 2025. It’s a crucial victory for small traders who say their livelihoods have been hanging by a thread. Phemelo speaks to SERI’s attorney, Deborah Raduba, and City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane about what happens next.