Windhoek: Social activist Michael Amushelelo on Thursday announced plans to establish a national street vendors' association to challenge what he described as unlawful evictions and advocate for the rights of informal traders. Addressing vendors affected by the City of Windhoek's decision to stop trading activities at China Town in the capital, Amushelelo said legal practitioners were consulted to begin registering the association, which he said would provide vendors with a collective voice.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Amushelelo argued that informal traders have been disadvantaged because they operate individually, making it easier for authorities to remove them from trading areas. "Once registered, the association would challenge future evictions through legal channels. Traders who have operated from the same locations for years cannot simply be removed without legal processes," he said.
He stressed that the City of Windhoek should obtain a court order before removing vendors from their trading sites, stressing that street vendors form part of a broader informal sector that contributes significantly to Namibia's economy and should be recognised through greater support and protection for traders. The announcement comes after representatives of the traders met with City of Windhoek officials, led by the mayor, Sakarias Uunona, to discuss the eviction of traders at China Town.
Also speaking to the vendors after the meeting was social activist Shaun Gariseb, who said discussions with the City were lengthy and difficult. Officials had however agreed to provide the traders with a written response on Friday. Gariseb said the traders told the City of Windhoek they could not be expected to stop trading immediately and had requested sufficient time to continue trading while engaging with each other and preparing formal applications.
He revealed the City agreed to provide a written document setting out the conditions under which the traders could continue operating during that period. Meanwhile, Amushelelo urged vendors to unite, warning that similar enforcement actions could affect traders in other parts of Windhoek, including Stop and Shop, Havana and the Four-Way area. More than 100 vendors are awaiting a response from the City after they were evicted by the City Police last week.