The Emalahleni Local Municipality hereby informs all hawkers that the Municipality is implementing a comprehensive compliance programme aimed at strengthening the regulation of informal trading, eliminating fraudulent permits, and ensuring compliance with Municipal By-Laws.
As part of this programme, the Municipality will introduce a new, secure permit management system to ensure a transparent, accountable and controlled process for the issuing of permits.
1. Revoking all existing hawkers’ permits
Date: Friday, 07 August 2026. All existing hawkers’ permits are hereby revoked as part of the Municipality’s permit verification and compliance programme.
2. Compulsory meeting with all hawkers
Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Time: 10:00. Venue: Banquet Hall.
All hawkers are required to attend a compulsory meeting where they will receive important information regarding the new hawker permit process and compliance requirements. At this meeting, hawkers will:
- Receive information on the new hawker permit application process.
- Be educated on the Municipal Informal Trading By-Laws.
- Be introduced to the Municipality’s new secure permit system.
- Receive details of the verification process that must be completed before new permits are issued.
3. Receive and process new hawkers’ permit applications
Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Time: 11:00 – 15:00.
The Municipality will receive and process applications for new hawkers’ permits. Applicants must attend in person with the required identification and supporting documentation.
4. Verify compliance before issuing new permits
Date: ongoing after applications.
All applicants will undergo a verification process before new permits are issued. Verification will be conducted in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation and municipal by-laws.
All non-compliant tuckshops must be closed.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality calls upon all hawkers to cooperate with this programme as we work towards creating a fair, transparent and well-regulated informal trading environment.