CHIPATA VENDORS BACK ON STREETS
VENDORS in Chipata have reoccupied illegal street stalls they were forced to vacate following the launch of the keep Zambia clean, green and healthy campaign by President Edgar Lungu a year ago.
Vendors talked to in Chipata said they had been forced to return to the street to sell fruits and vegetables because of economic hardships.
The actions by the vendors contravene Statutory Instrument (SI) 10 of 2018 that makes it illegal for anybody to trade without a licence and valid certification from the local authority.
SI No. 12 of 2018 prohibits the sale of food and other products on any street or in public place, other than a market established by the council, except with the permission of the council.
Ms Anna Njovu who operates from Chipata Down Shops area said,” We have a stall in the market but there is no business and this is the reason why we are trading here." She said with the growing population, demand for food was on the increase, forcing most vendors to trade in places where there are lots of people. Another vendor Lucas Daka said: "We are seeking business in places where there are people and this has resulted in us clashing with the local authority. In the market there is no business.” Continued street vending was contributing to poor service delivery as the council was unable to provide basic public amnesties vendors were operating illegally and without paying any fees. CCC public relations manager, Kameko Manda, said the council was facing various challenges ranging from waste management and cleanness in the city. She attributed the challenges to vendors who had begun to return to the streets. "We have been doing our best to keep the city clean, unfortunately illegal vendors are failing to comply. This makes it costly and difficult for the council to manage waste in the city,” lamented Ms. Manda.