Stop it, Mkushi street vendors warned
VENDORS in Mkushi who abandon designated trading areas to return to street vending will be prosecuted, Mkushi District Commissioner (DC) Luka Mwamba warned yesterday.
Mr Mwamba said in an interview with the Daily Nation that it was unfortunate that some vendors were leaving designated trading areas and were returning to the streets which was a blatant abrogation of the law.
He said street vending was now an offence and anyone found wanting was liable for prosecution.
Mr Mwamba’s comment comes in the wake of a number of street vendors in the area who have been arrested and convicted for vending in non-designated places.
Mr Mwamba wondered why vendors opted to return to the streets leaving designated trading places which the local authority had secured for them.
“The local authority has done a commendable job by allocating trading spaces for traders at designated places but some want to go back to the streets and flout the law,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba noted that from the time vendors were removed from the streets and the central business centre, the town had been clean than ever before.
Mr Mwamba also warned vendors who were in the habit of vending in the evening around supermarkets in town to refrain from the illicit act or face prosecution.
He, however, commended the council for allocating trading spaces to the traders and also thanked people who ensured that the streets were kept clean.
Meanwhile, Mkushi traders swung into action on Saturday to clean up their trading places in line with the re-launched Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy campaign.
This follows the Presidential directive and requirement as per government policy that all citizens must take part in cleaning their surroundings every last Saturday of the month. Both New and Itala’s Bwafwano markets traders joined the rest of the country in cleaning their premises.
Speaking in interview with the Daily Nation, new market committee secretary Getson Kapotesha said the Presidential initiative would induce sanity in public places for the good health of the people.
Mr Kapotesha said the cleaning exercises would help prevent out breaks of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera.
“As new market traders, we will adhere to the policy and see to it that people are trading in conducive environment for good health. The cleaning exercises will be done as scheduled.” Mr Kapotesha said.
Mr Kapotesha also appealed to the traders to clean their trading spaces at all times and not to wait to be told to do so. The traders should also throw litter into bins or at designated points to promote primary healthcare, he added.