The City Police has expressed growing concern over informal traders who are increasingly setting up businesses without following regulatory requirements.
Deputy Head for Administration Adam Eiseb said unregulated activities by informal traders are causing a range of issues that are affecting the city’s residents and its overall image.
At the 7th Windhoek Mayoral Business Forum (WMBF), Eiseb emphasised the importance of adhering to the city’s robust regulations on informal trading.
“If you want to enter this industry, it is imperative that you obtain the appropriate authorisation, adhere to allocated spaces, and conduct your business in a well-regulated manner,” he said.
Despite the city’s efforts to create a conducive environment for informal trading, he said it appears that regulations are frequently ignored, leading to a proliferation of uncontrolled trading activities that are causing growing frustration among residents and officials alike.
“One of the most significant issues arising from this lack of compliance is the occupation of sidewalks, which obstruct pedestrians and compromise their safety. The presence of informal traders on sidewalks makes it challenging for people to navigate the city on foot and creates a cluttered, chaotic environment that adversely impacts the overall aesthetic of the city,” he explained.
Furthermore, he said the unchecked informal trading has also led to increased littering, posing a significant challenge to maintaining city hygiene.
“With traders often failing to clean up after themselves, the city is grappling with sanitation problems that can affect the health and well-being of its residents,” he added.
Additionally, the situation has created an increasingly contentious atmosphere within the city.
Eiseb urged informal traders to cooperate with the city authorities and follow the established regulations.
He stressed that regulations were created to ensure a fair, orderly, and safe environment for everyone, and the city is committed to helping traders meet these requirements.
This comes as the City of Windhoek is working on new policy frameworks which will result in the capital city creating mixed-use developments and increasing informal trading spaces.
The local authority earlier stated that a new land-use zoning will be introduced under its plans, which will allow property owners to potentially generate an income from their residential property, but pursuant to the drive towards densification, will also allow for the subdivision and potential selling off a portion to generate the necessary capital for further development.
The municipality had indicated it was also in the process of crafting a new informal trading master plan intending to increase much-needed informal trading spaces in Windhoek.
