Renthia Kaimbi
The Municipality of Walvis Bay has ordered all informal traders operating within the town’s Central Business District to cease operations and vacate the area by Wednesday, warning that non-compliant traders will face a joint cleanup operation with law enforcement starting on Friday.
The public notice specifically targets informal traders currently operating in undesignated areas within the local authority’s jurisdiction.
The municipality has made it clear that there are no designated informal trading areas in the Central Business District, meaning traders must relocate to municipal designated trading zones elsewhere in the town.
Municipal spokesperson Anita Kaihiva told the Observer Coastal on Wednesday that it was too early to report any progress on the notice to vacate, given that the deadline was set for 17 June 2026.
“The notice says the relevant department will only inspect on Friday, since today (Wednesday) was the deadline,” said Kaihiva.
The crackdown forms part of a broader regulatory framework introduced in March, which established a permit system for informal trading signed by Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga.
The rules introduced different permit categories, including market trading, stalls, food carts, roaming vendors, temporary trading, and special events.
Traders intending to operate for more than 90 days are required to apply to the council, submit identification, and pay a non-refundable fee.
A fitness certificate is also mandatory before commencing operations.
“A person may not conduct informal trading in the local authority area unless the person is registered to conduct informal trading under these regulations and is issued a permit,” states Regulation 2(1) of the Walvis Bay Informal Trading Regulations, published in Government Gazette No. 8873 on 23 March 2026.
The regulations empower authorities to impound goods from non-compliant traders, with offenders facing fines of up to N$5,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
Foreign nationals must submit valid permanent residence or employment permits before being allowed to trade.
The municipality has stated it values and supports informal trading as an essential part of the local economy and a contributor to livelihoods.
However, officials have expressed concern about the increase in unregistered street vendors operating without required permits at non-designated sites, particularly in the CBD, creating challenges in maintaining public order, cleanliness, and safety.
The cleanup operation scheduled for 19 June will involve the municipal council working jointly with law enforcement to clear unauthorised trading areas and ensure compliance.
Traders have been given until 17 June to voluntarily relocate to municipal designated trading areas.
The changes come as the harbour town manages growth and rising informal trading activity.
Municipal officials from the economic development and health divisions have previously conducted street-level engagements to educate vendors on the new requirements.
Many vendors reportedly received the information positively, with some noting they were previously unaware of the regulations and agreeing to comply.
Progress has been made on a proposed relocation site in Kuisebmond, where preparatory work is nearing completion.
According to Shimbilinga, who addressed the matter during an Ordinary Council Meeting on 28 April 2026, the site was approximately 90% ready as of that date.
Allocation of trading spaces was expected to be finalised by 30 April 2026, after which an orderly relocation process would be implemented in collaboration with the Work Together Association.
The regulations also required traders to maintain cleanliness, follow safety rules, and avoid blocking roads or public access.
“The council made designated areas for informal trading and declared any area in which informal trading is allowed,” the gazette states.
