29 June 2004 Press Release INFORMAL TRADERS WARNED The City of Joburg Council has today warned informal traders operating in the Inner City not to give money to anyone for a trading stall in the city. This is after the city officials uncovered a scam involving certain individuals who claim to be representing the Gauteng Hawkers Association. These individuals go around collecting R60 from unsuspecting informal traders and issue fraudulent 'Licenses to trade in the Inner City'. The City wishes to place on record that these individuals have neither authority nor permission to sell/allocate trading spaces and issue licenses in the Inner City. The City, through the Metro Trading Company has laid formal charges at the Johannesburg Central Police Station against Mr Mannertjie Solomon (Leader of Gauteng Hawkers Association) for obtaining monies from informal traders under false pretences acting as an agent of MTC. ENDS Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za