Tshwane Municipality Urges Marabastad Market Traders to Submit Licence Applications Before Court-Ordered Deadline
The Tshwane municipality is urging all traders at the Marabastad market to submit their licence applications with less than two days to go until the court-ordered deadline of Friday, 8 August 2025. This follows a dramatic week where the City shut down the bustling retail market, only for traders to secure a Gauteng High Court interim order allowing them to resume operations, provided they comply with licensing requirements.
Background of the Marabastad Market Closure
On Thursday, 31 July 2025, the City of Tshwane closed the Marabastad Retail Market, citing non-compliance with trading permits and health and safety regulations. The operation, led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya and supported by the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), found dozens of traders operating without valid permits, in violation of the City’s Street Trading By-Law and the Business Act 71 of 1991. The closure affected 49 stalls and a tea room, disrupting the livelihoods of traders who rely on the market as a vital source of fresh produce for Tshwane’s seven regions.
The market, a metro-owned property, was reclaimed after allegations that it had been “hijacked” by an individual who subleased spaces in breach of the City’s contract terms. [7] During the operation, 135 statutory notices and 29 fines worth R125,000 were issued, with some businesses also facing disconnection of illegal electricity connections. [3] Mayor Moya defended the action, stating, “Trading without permits is illegal in Tshwane, and by-laws exist to protect residents and business operations.”
Court Intervention and Traders’ Response
The closure sparked outrage among traders, who argued that the City failed to consult them adequately and that the action threatened their livelihoods. Represented by the Unified South African Traders, over 30 disgruntled traders approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday, 1 August 2025, naming Mayor Moya, the City, and the TMPD as respondents. The court granted an interim order allowing traders to resume operations until they submit the necessary permit applications by Friday, 8 August 2025. The City has until 1 September 2025 to process these applications and provide feedback.
The traders’ organisation, led by chairperson Ramodike Morena, accused the coalition government, particularly ActionSA, of using by-law enforcement for political gain ahead of elections. “We will challenge her [Moya] next time she comes leading an operation. We won’t be oppressed by ActionSA, which is using by-law enforcement as a pretext for electioneering,” Morena said.
The market’s closure was seen as particularly harsh given its five-decade history of intergenerational trading, vital for township residents who sell fruits and vegetables to survive.
Political Tensions and Opposition Criticism
The Marabastad issue has turned into a political flashpoint. Opposition parties, notably the Democratic Alliance (DA), accused the multiparty coalition government—comprising ActionSA, DA, and others—of targeting traders unfairly. DA councillor Pogiso Muthimunye filed an urgent motion in a council sitting on 31 July 2025, calling for a thorough investigation into vendors across Tshwane markets, but it was rejected. [0] Muthimunye warned that the closure could lead to “disinvestment, loss of investor confidence, and gross unemployment,” given Tshwane’s high unemployment rate and sluggish economic growth.
Posts on X echoed these sentiments, with some users alleging that Moya’s actions were driven by a desire for “social media likes” rather than genuine governance. Others claimed traders with valid leases were unfairly targeted, while those operating illegally outside the market were left untouched. [1] The ANC’s Tshwane coordinator, George Matjila, also criticised the operation, though his own recent assault charge has somewhat overshadowed his party’s stance.
City’s Stance on Compliance and Safety
In a media statement on 6 August 2025, MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa reiterated the City’s commitment to enforcing by-laws. “Traders and businesses, and especially those businesses dealing with food products, must comply with fire, health and safety regulations in addition to securing trading licenses,” she said. [0] Mabotsa clarified that owning or leasing a property does not automatically grant trading rights, and all businesses must adhere to zoning, health, and safety standards to protect workers, customers, and communities.
Mabotsa outlined the process for compliance, noting that traders must attend a compulsory workshop on street trading in Tshwane, offered at the City’s economic development offices at Middestad Building, 252 Thabo Sehume Street, Pretoria. [0] Upon completion, traders can apply for a certificate of acceptability, which requires a certified ID copy, a lease agreement, and payment for food handling and fire safety training. The City has begun processing applications and promised outcomes by the court-ordered deadline of 1 September 2025.
“I thank the businesses who are seeking to comply with the city’s by-laws and with the order of the court. The city’s multiparty coalition government is working to cultivate a safe city that works for everyone,” Mabotsa said, defending the closure as part of a broader effort to clean up the inner city and support economic growth.
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