Rundu battles illegal street trading

More than 300 trading stalls across Rundu stand empty while illegal vendors continue to occupy pavements, parking areas and the entrances to businesses, exposing the growing challenge facing the Rundu Town Council in enforcing its informal trading regulations.

Public concern has intensified in recent weeks, with residents warning on social media that Rundu risks being overrun by illegal street traders if enforcement is not tightened. Yet, while unauthorised vendors continue to operate in busy commercial areas, the council says the problem is not a shortage of trading space. Instead, it points to traders' preference for busy, high-footfall locations where they can attract more customers.

Figures released by the council show that 307 trading stalls remain vacant across Rundu's three open markets despite the continued spread of illegal trading.

In an interview with Namibian Sun, Rundu mayor Andreas Jikerwa said the council currently has 626 registered street vendors operating under its informal trading regulations and maintains that sufficient trading facilities already exist.

"Some traders prefer high-traffic locations near businesses, transport routes and busy public areas to maximise sales, despite the availability of designated trading spaces," Jikerwa said.

The council has three open markets – Rundu Open Market, Tandaveka Open Market and Sauyemwa Open Market – as well as 20 approved trading areas. Council records show that 242 traders operate from the Rundu Open Market, 89 from Tandaveka Open Market and only 17 from Sauyemwa Open Market. However, 307 stalls remain unoccupied, including 229 at Sauyemwa, 48 at Tandaveka and 30 at the Rundu Open Market.

The vacant stalls stand in stark contrast to the continued presence of illegal vendors occupying pavements, roadsides, parking bays and the frontages of formal businesses despite repeated enforcement operations by the council.

Hands tied

Jikerwa said authorised traders are identified through registration, allocated trading spaces, valid operating receipts and compliance with council regulations, while the council's Law Enforcement Division conducts routine inspections to identify and remove traders operating unlawfully.

He said the council continues to register vendors, allocate them to designated trading areas, conduct inspections and enforcement operations, issue compliance notices and relocate traders whose activities obstruct public spaces or negatively affect formal businesses.

However, he acknowledged that enforcement alone has not been enough, with some traders refusing to comply with the council's requirements.

"A key challenge remains the limited cooperation from some traders, including reluctance to enter into operating agreements and pay applicable trading fees and tariffs. This affects the council's ability to maintain and improve trading facilities and ensure a sustainable informal trading system," Jikerwa said.

Review underway

The mayor said the council is reviewing its informal trading strategy by identifying additional suitable trading areas, upgrading existing markets and strengthening the registration and monitoring of traders. He added that the council is also improving market infrastructure through the installation of prepaid water and electricity services.

"Any additional trading areas must be properly planned and supported by adequate infrastructure, management systems, enforcement measures and clear operating guidelines," he said.