ERRING RETAIL OUTLETS UNDER FIRE

TRADERS

at Chisokone market in Kitwe and some cross border traders have protested the decision by some shop owners to display their goods on the newly constructed pavers which are meant to be used by pedestrians. Copperbelt Cross Border and Integrated Business Association (CCBIBA) publicity secretary Poster Jumbe said the action by the shop owners to display their goods on the pavers amounted to street vending and should be stopped. Mr Jumbe said the pavers were constructed to give enough walking space to pedestrians, but it was surprising that some shop owners were now using them as trading spaces Shop owners on Langashe Road near SKF were displaying their wares on pavers. "These pavers were not only constructed to add beauty to the city, but to also give enough walking space to pedestrians. So if shop owners start displaying their goods on pavers, they are denying pedestrians enough walking space. "These shop owners are slowly becoming street vendor. Yes, the action by the shop owners to display their goods on pavers amounts to street vending and it should be stopped. This is a walking space and so even if business is difficult, shop owners should not display their goods on the pavers,'' Mr Jumbe said Mr Jumbe said business entities should not resort to any form of lawlessness because doing so could lead to their licences being revoked. He said shop owners were not street vendors and so, they should conduct their business in line with their licenses. When contacted, Kitwe Town Clerk, Mbulo Seke said he could not comment on the matter because no one had reported that issue to the local authority Mr Seke, however, said the Local Government Act on nuisance Statutory Instrument (SI) number 12 of 2018 forbids street vending. "Displaying goods in the streets is street vending and shop owners should not do that. The law forbids street vending,'' Mr Seke said.