Research Study into the City of Cape Town’s By-Law in Relation to the Informal Sector

The Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) commissioned Mthente to undertake a study that examined the by-laws that govern informal trade, with the aim of determining whether or not they promoted the economic development of the city’s informal trade sector. Two by-laws in particular were reviewed: The Informal Trading By-Law of 2009 and the By-Law Relating to Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisances of 2007.

The study was informed by an extensive desktop review, stakeholder interviews and focus groups with informal traders