Outapi Town Council has given street vendors until 16 November to stop trading illegally along the town's streets or face a daily charge of N$25.
The council says the move is part of efforts to improve cleanliness, protect vendors and consumers, and encourage trading at designated markets.
The announcement was made during a meeting between the council and street vendors, which also addressed planned road upgrades and measures to improve the town's appearance.
Chief Executive Officer Ananias Nashilongo says the council introduced the daily charge as part of efforts to address concerns over street cleanliness and the safety of vendors operating along the roads.
"We also informed them that any illegal street vendor selling in the town will be charged N$25 per day. That N$25 will be charged is for using to employ temporary casual labourers to be able also to clean the streets. Because now they are selling there, making the streets more dirty. And also the residents are complaining, and even also their safety when they are selling along the street – there is no safety for them."
Nashilongo says vendors proposed paying N$10 per day to continue trading along the streets, but the council rejected the suggestion, citing legal restrictions on street trading.
He says vendors are instead being encouraged to move to designated open markets, where they can access facilities and services to support their businesses.
"In the open market it is very, very cheap. It is a well-organised open market. We have water, free water for a person to drink. We have free ablution facilities to be utilised by the tenants and their customers, and we have cleaners there. In the open market, we also have securities that are protecting themselves and their products."
Street vendor Sam Shikalepo, who sells leather products, says the proposed N$25 daily charge could be difficult for vendors to afford, especially on days when they make no sales.
"I think it is not okay to make people pay N$25 per day, which sometimes a person does not sell anything, and the person will not even be able to pay the N$25. I suggest also that the Town Council maybe go to recheck the decision, just to amend the decision."
The council says the N$25 daily tariff has already been approved and gazetted. Vendors who wish to avoid the daily charge have been urged to register for stalls at the open markets, where the monthly rental is N$50.