Allexer Namundjembo
Windhoek Municipality councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu has demanded answers from the City management over the reported suspension of trading letters and increased enforcement against informal traders in Dorado Park (Valley), saying the measures have raised serious governance and public interest concerns.
In a memorandum dated 6 July addressed to chief executive officer Moses Matyayi, Kavetu requested information on the legal and administrative basis for the reported decision to stop issuing new trading letters to informal traders.
The request follows complaints from residents and traders who claim City Police have prevented them from operating after the City allegedly refused to issue trading letters to new applicants.
“I have received numerous concerns from residents and informal traders alleging that traders operating in Dorado Park (Valley) have recently been prevented from conducting their trading activities by members of the City Police following the City’s refusal to issue trading letters to new applicants,” Kavetu wrote.
According to the councillor, officials within the City’s economic development department indicated that the decision was implemented following a directive from the office of the chief executive officer.
Kavetu has requested confirmation of whether such a directive exists and, if it does, has asked the administration to provide a copy.
He is also seeking clarity on the legal, policy, and administrative basis for suspending or refusing the issuance of trading letters; whether the decision was approved by Council or taken under delegated administrative authority; and which statutory or policy provisions were relied upon.
Kavetu further questioned why stricter enforcement measures were introduced while the City’s revised Informal Trading Policy remains under review.
“I further note that the City’s Informal Trading Policy has remained under review for a considerable period without being finalised and presented to Council for consideration,” he stated.
He added that “the implementation of administrative measures that materially affect the livelihoods of informal traders raises important governance, policy and public interest considerations that warrant clarification.”
The councillor has also requested information on how many traders have been affected, the number of applications awaiting determination or declined, whether any socio-economic or livelihood impact assessment was conducted before the measures were implemented, and whether traders or their representative bodies were consulted.
He is further seeking an update on the review of the Informal Trading Policy, including the reasons for the delay, progress made, outstanding milestones, and when the revised policy is expected to be tabled before Council.
Kavetu also called on the administration to outline interim measures to protect the livelihoods of traders while the policy review is being completed. In the memorandum, he stressed the importance of balancing regulation with the welfare of vulnerable residents.
“The informal economy remains an important source of employment and income for many residents of the City of Windhoek,” he wrote.
“While the City has a legitimate responsibility to regulate trading activities in an orderly and lawful manner, it is equally important that administrative decisions affecting vulnerable members of the public are transparent, legally sound, procedurally fair and accompanied by appropriate transitional measures where necessary.”
Kavetu requested that the report be submitted by 10 July to enable councillors to exercise their oversight responsibilities and respond to concerns raised by affected residents.
The memorandum was copied to the City’s strategic executives, the chief of City Police, and all councillors.
The City of Windhoek had not responded to questions sent to the communication department by Monday.
Vendors operating within the City of Windhoek have been facing evictions from the City. Earlier this year, the City Police intensified operations across Windhoek by removing illegal street vendors from various sites around the city.
At the time, vendors selling in the central business district around the Shoprite parking area were surprised when they reported for business on Wednesday morning to find their trading area cordoned off.
At the time, City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya explained that the operation forms part of the City Police’s daily operations and ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal trading activities across the city.
Amutenya said while some vendors were initially permitted to operate within the demarcated parking area, they have continued to encroach onto the roadway and in front of Shoprite, causing significant traffic congestion and public safety concerns.
Amutenya said operations have been conducted in different parts of the city, including areas in front of the Government Park, the ministry of finance, behind Pep Stores on Frans Indongo Street, and around the University of Namibia.
“In all these locations, traders were operating at premises that do not meet the city’s informal trading requirements. Experience has shown that even where leniency is exercised, some traders continue to operate beyond their allocated spaces,” said Amutenya at the time.
