Mayor warns of health and safety risks at illegal trading sites

Windhoek mayor Queen Kamati has highlighted the challenges and risks posed by illegal informal trading sites and vendors, including public health and safety concerns.

During an engagement with vendors at the Stop n Shop over the weekend, she encouraged informal traders to clean up their sites and ensure that trading is conducted in an orderly fashion in strict compliance with municipal regulations and at demarcated trade areas.

Over 500 vendors operating at Tukondjeni Market near the Stop n Shop Supermarket attended the engagement.

The main aim of the meeting was to engage vendors on critical issues, including illegal trading, general hygiene, safety and security matters.

Public health and safety

The mayor said in addition, "unapproved structures on pavements obstruct pedestrian movement and must be removed and sleeping at trading sites is not allowed."

Kamati also pointed out that due to a lack of bathrooms, open defecation takes place, another public health concern.

She added that "storage of perishable goods is problematic as the vendors do not take accountability for abandoned goods. In turn, this creates a conducive environment for attracting and allowing the breeding of pests."

She stressed that illegal or counterfeit products that pose a risk to public health and safety will be confiscated and destroyed.

Kamati said another concern is that many traders have set up their stalls near or on top of fire hydrants and bulk-water isolation valves, which poses a serious problem as it could hinder firefighters and emergency service providers during fire outbreaks and other emergencies.

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