City vendors without permits to lose their business

By Odette Ismail
13 February 2007

Vendors without a permit will lose their businesses on Cape Town station deck today.

Simon Grindrod mayoral committee member for Economic Development and Social Development, Property Mangement and Tourism, says that they are concerned about the state of the station deck. He claims that drug-dealing, assault and vandalism has become the downfall of the station deck.

He confirmed that the city and the South African Rail Commuter Corporation have come up with a plan. The taxi rank will have a face-lift and a decent market will be provided for informal traders with permits.

They are also working on crime and the general condition of the the station deck.

Last year 229 applications were issued to people wanting to trade on the station deck, but out of 198 returns only 88 were approved.

According to policy, traders have to be historically disadvantaged, have one trading bay in the city, be unemployed and have a South African identity document or a work permit.

If traders are not in possession of a permit today they will have to pack up their stalls and leave.