What was once a congested and untidy central business district has undergone a remarkable transformation as Thulamela Local Municipality's intensified compliance campaign restores order, cleanliness and renewed confidence in Thohoyandou.
The campaign, which gained momentum in June 2026 under the leadership of Mayor Sarah Rambuda, has seen ongoing by-law enforcement operations targeting illegal trading, blocked pavements, the unlawful occupation of parking bays, poor sanitation and non-compliance with municipal trading regulations.
For years, residents, shoppers and business owners complained that the town had deteriorated into a chaotic trading environment. Since the launch of the compliance drive, municipal law enforcement officers, supported by stakeholders including taxi and bus associations, the Hawkers' Association, the tourism sector and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), have worked together to restore order in the CBD.
Among the achievements have been the removal of illegal structures from pavements and parking bays, the confiscation of trading equipment used in contravention of municipal by-laws, the verification of trading permits, action against traders operating without the required documentation, improved waste management, and the reopening of pedestrian walkways that had long been obstructed.
Municipal spokesperson Ndwamato Tshiila said the campaign had received overwhelming support from residents and legitimate traders.
“People are praising this initiative because they can now clearly see the difference. The streets are cleaner, pavements are accessible again and businesses can operate in a safer and more organised environment. This campaign is not intended to punish people but to ensure that everyone trades within the law while protecting the image of our town,” said Tshiila.
One of the licensed traders welcoming the initiative is Mashudu Mulaudzi, who has sold cooked food in the town for more than 15 years. She said the uncontrolled growth of unlicensed traders had made business increasingly difficult for those complying with municipal regulations.
“We were competing with people who simply arrived and occupied every available space without permits. Customers struggled to move around and the town became untidy. We thank the municipality for taking action because we can already see our businesses improving as the town becomes cleaner and more organised,” she said.
An anonymous businessman operating near the Tops Liquor outlet described the campaign as a lifeline for formal businesses.
“We pay rent every month, yet customers avoided our shops because hawkers had taken over the parking area. We understand that everyone is trying to earn a living, but it must be done within the law. We commend the municipality for taking this decisive step to save our businesses,” he said.
At several former congestion hotspots, compliance vehicles remained on site while displaced hawkers lingered nearby. The Mvusuludzo Taxi Rank, once heavily crowded with informal traders, has taken on a noticeably cleaner and more organised appearance.
Tshiila said compliance operations would continue across Thulamela to ensure traders comply with municipal by-laws, trading permit conditions and, where applicable, immigration requirements, while maintaining a clean, safe and dignified environment for residents, businesses and visitors.