Sarah Charlton – The Conversation

Traders sell their goods in a busy market area in central Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

January 5, 2026

Johannesburg has failed its informal traders: policies are in place, but action is needed

Mamokete Modiba, Gauteng City-Region Observatory; Claire Benit-Gbaffou, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU); Sarah Charlton, University of the Witwatersrand, and Tanya Zack, University of the Witwatersrand

Informal trading is an integral part of the city of Johannesburg’s identity.

The aftermath of a 2021 fire disaster in an abandoned building in central Johannesburg. Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images

September 8, 2023

Marie Huchzermeyer, University of the Witwatersrand; Amira Osman, Tshwane University of Technology; Hannah le Roux, University of the Witwatersrand; Margot Rubin, Cardiff University; Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon, University of the Witwatersrand; Mfaniseni Fana Sihlongonyane, University of the Witwatersrand; Neil Klug, University of the Witwatersrand; Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand; Priscila Izar, University of the Witwatersrand; Sarah Charlton, University of the Witwatersrand; Sarita Pillay Gonzalez, University of the Witwatersrand, and Tanya Zack, University of the Witwatersrand

Armed police interventions are unconstitutional and incapable of addressing housing and safety in the inner city.