Tears and tension in Joburg CBD as vendors beg for their livelihoods back

Mapaballo Borotho

Informal traders in Johannesburg’s CBD are protesting their removal from trading spots as part of a city clean-up ahead of the G20 Summit.
The city says the operation aims to curb lawlessness, while SERI argues it has stripped vulnerable people of their livelihoods.
The protest comes amid a worsening unemployment crisis, with millions relying on informal work to survive.

Thousands of informal traders in Johannesburg’s CBD are protesting outside the High Court, demanding that the city reinstate them to their trading spots.

The vendors were recently removed as part of a citywide clean-up campaign ahead of the G20 Summit.

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero defended the move, saying it was part of efforts to reclaim the inner city from lawlessness and urban decay.

However, MMC for Safety and Security Mgcini Tshwaku clarified that the city’s intention is not to take away people’s livelihoods, but to ensure all traders have valid trading licenses.

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) has since filed an urgent court application, arguing that the operation has robbed traders of their only source of income.

With South Africa’s unemployment rate rising to 33.2% in the second quarter of 2025 up from 32.9% earlier this year, many have emphasised that street trading is their only means of survival.

There is tense standoff outside the Johannesburg High where informal traders are protesting along with #EFF members are demanding the city reinstate them to their trading spots in the CBD

But #ANC and #ActionSA supporters are demonstrating in support of the city’s bylaws which… pic.twitter.com/5xvryfzaqs

— Kaya News (@KayaNews) October 31, 2025