SPYL slams cruel evictions

Max Henrich

ONGWEDIVA – The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has warned that confiscating and destroying street vendors’ goods risks pushing already struggling Namibian households further into poverty. 

The youth league therefore called on local authorities to replace eviction-driven enforcement with measures that integrate informal traders into the formal economy.

In a statement issued on Friday, SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo said street vending remains a critical source of income for thousands of families amid unemployment, economic hardship and rising living costs.

“Many young people, women and low-income households depend on informal trading not only for income but also to put food on the table, pay school fees and sustain their families,” he said.

Nekongo acknowledged the need for municipalities to enforce regulations on cleanliness, public safety and town planning, but said such enforcement should not unnecessarily destroy livelihoods or deepen poverty.

He called on local authorities to move away from an enforcement-centred approach towards the integration, formalisation and modernisation of informal trading.

“Municipalities and town councils should establish well serviced trading areas in strategic locations where vendors can reach customers. These areas should progressively provide shelter, water, sanitation, waste management, electricity, storage, security and safe pedestrian access,” he said.

He said there is a need for simplified, affordable registration and permit systems, including digital registration and payment platforms, to improve licensing and municipal planning.

Further urged stronger partnerships among local authorities, government and financial institutions, and development agencies to provide vendors with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, access to microfinance and digital payment systems, and assistance with business registration.

Additionally, vendors operating in prohibited areas should, where reasonably possible, be given alternative trading spaces and sufficient notice before removal.

“Confiscation and destruction of goods should never become the default method of regulating informal economic activity. Destroying traders’ goods could amount to destroying an entire household’s source of income,” he said.

Nekongo further called for permanent Street Vendor and Informal Trader Consultative Forums to enable municipalities, vendors, youth organisations and other stakeholders to address issues such as trading spaces, sanitation, licensing, safety and compliance.

The youth leader noted that Namibian towns cannot modernise by excluding those who depend on them for their livelihoods.

Further stating that the youth league wants local authorities to develop comprehensive strategies for the informal economy and street trading that recognise vendors as partners in local economic development and provide a pathway from informal trading to sustainable enterprises.

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