MTENDERE STREET VENDORS BACK

By NATION REPORTER SOME unscrupulous people have gone back to trade on the streets, Lusaka’s Mtendere Ward 31 Councillor, Watson Mtonga has disclosed.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Mtonga warned of stern action against the culprits from Kizimai and Mtendere markets. Mr Mtonga said he will not allow vendors to go back in corridors because Government has provide them with trading spaces in Mtendere main market which they have abandoned.

He expressed sadness that some disgruntled elements had resorted to go back to the streets which will not be tolerated.

Mr Mtonga said he will not shield anyone coming in conflict with the law because every nation was guided by laws and regulations.

“I ‘am aware that some vendors are conducting business from streets and corridors which will not be allowed because there is enough trading space in Mtendere market, therefore they should go back inside the market,” said Mr Mtonga.

And Patrick Chisaku, a resident in the area has called on Government through Lusaka City Council (LCC) to quickly take action before the situation gets out of hand.

Mr Chisaku said it was sad that despite Government providing conducive trading places for them inside the market the vendors had decide to abandon the market and come back in roads which was contrary to the Local Government Act CAP 28.

Another resident Kedrick Chisangano appealed to LCC to quickly arrest the vendors before the area is heaped with garbage due to careless dumping of refuse by vendors.

Mr Chisangano said once arrested they should be penalised in line with the Statutory Instrument No. 10 of 2018 under Regulation and those who will fail to pay the penalties should be taken to Fast Track Court.

“The vendors are coming slowly in streets along the road and corridors and they usually come in the late afternoon, to sell ready to eat foods, chopped meat and pieces of chicken which is not even properly handled , therefore we fear that Cholera cases will still be recorded again in Mtendere,” said Mr Chisangano.

And LCC acting Public Relations Manager, George Sichimba, said some vendors had taken advantage and want to attempt to return to the streets following the withdrawal of soldiers back to their barracks.

Mr Sichimba said the local authority is working with other stakeholders among them the security wings in order to devise strategies aimed at preventing vendors from getting back on the streets especially in Central Business District and in other prohibited areas.

Mr Sichimba said the council will ensure that vendors were not back in streets because it was illegal and further advised vendors to restrain themselves from abrogating the law by doing their business from designated places.

“As the council we are on top of things to ensure that vendors are not back on the streets and we are aware that some vendors from Mtendere and Kazimai market have gone back on streets, but we will soon pounce on them and once arrested they will be penalized and their merchandise will also be confiscated,” said Mr Sichimba.

A check by Daily Nation found vendors trading from corridors, while others along the road selling ready to-eat food.