Solwezi market will not be sold - Govt

GOVERNMENT has assured traders in Solwezi that there is no intention to sell the main market in the North-western provincial capital.

The state has thus appealed to all marketeers trading at Solwezi main market to ignore the rumours being peddled that the facility was up for sale.

North-Western province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela said the Government of the Solwezi Municipal Council had no plans to sell the market and that it would remain public property. Marketeers at the main market had petitioned the permanent secretary’s office following rumours that the council intended to sell the market to a foreign investor.

But Mr Mangimela assured the traders that his office would always liaise with the market leadership and other stakeholders if there would be any new developments related to the market.

He said this during a meeting with Solwezi District Business Association (SODBA), Solwezi Municipal Council management and other stakeholders in Solwezi at the weekend.

Mr Mangimela told the marketeers to maintain the peace and assured them that they would not be displaced by anyone.

Solwezi Deputy Mayor Nephan Kamwandi regretted that the falsehood had reached alarming levels.

Mr Kamwandi emphasised that there had not been any contract signed regarding the sale of Solwezi main market.