The Municipality, in its capacity as the local government tier, is
   constitutionally tasked to ensure that residents within its boundaries
   are living safely and in a healthy environment.

   There are informal traders operating in the Municipal region. These
   include traders around the Durban Station precinct.

   This statement will deal in particular with the traders in this area,
   although the policies applied by the Municipality in respect of street
   trading will affect all traders around the Municipal region as a
   whole, equally.

   It has come to the attention of city officials and the political
   leadership that a number of municipal by-laws are being flouted,
   including within the Durban Station building itself.

   As indicated above, it shall be incumbent upon the eThekwini Municipal
   Council to ensure that by-laws, particularly those that will ensure
   the safety and healthy living of all residents, are adhered to at all
   times.

   A number of street traders in this area do have permits to ply their
   trade there. However, they have been disregarding the local laws by
   sleeping on the premises which are demarcated for them to do their
   business only.

   This has led to a number of problems, including but not limited to:
     * Grime, which has led to a mushrooming of various diseases
     * Crime such as muggings, due to the fact that the area has become
       overcrowded.

   As a result of the above, many would-be train commuters have felt
   uncomfortable in using trains, which then resulted in:
     * Too much pressure on road transport and infrastructure

   The Municipality, in partnership with Metrorail, Intersite and
   Spoornet, last week went on a site visit to remind people of the
   trading regulations, which, among other things, prohibits usage of
   trading zones as sleeping areas.

   Nevertheless, it became evident this week that there had been no
   respect of these rules, which then led to the four partners to call on
   the Metro Police to enforce the by-laws.

   During a clean-up operation on Monday and on Tuesday this week, one
   passer-by commented to city officials: "You are doing a great job by
   enforcing these rules. It is so uncomfortably for us to use the
   station to catch the trains. There is also a high degree of grime
   here."

   For further interviews REGARDING THIS ISSUE, contact Cllr Mpume
   Chamane on 083 272 0405 or Mrs Sayo Skweyiya, the Deputy City Manager
   in charge of the Health, Safety and Social Services cluster, on 083
   461 5015.

   For general enquiries, contact Vernon Mchunu on 072 982 4507 or email
   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   Issued by eThekwini Municipality, Communications Unit.