Livingstone council warns vendors

THE Livingstone City Council has warned traders and vendors in the tourist capital against abusing

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street vendors found trading on the streets and grab their merchandise.

The council said street vending remained an offence and that anyone found doing so will be prosecuted.

Council public relations manager Melvin Mukela said the local authority had noted that some people were abusing Mr Mwale’s directive by vending on the streets with impunity.

Mr Mukela said when some street vendors heard about the minister’s directive, they got excited and thought vending had been allowed when in fact not.

“We welcome the statement by the Minister of Local overnment who has cautioned council police officers to handle the issue of street vendors with care.

“We realise that those who have engaged in street vending have been complaining that the council police officers have been not been handling them well simply by grabbing their merchandise so that they don’t go back to the streets,” Mr Mukela said.

“But with the directive from the minister as Livingstone City Council, we shall do as we have been directed.”

“For them (street vendors) when the minister said council police officers should not confiscate merchandise from street vendors thought they he had allowed them. No, the minister did not allow street vending. It is illegal,” he said.