DON’T INCITE VENDORS, UPND TOLD

BY SANDRA MACHIMA

must not incite vendors to rise against Government over the cholera interventions to gain political mileage, National Congress Party leader Peter Chanda has charged.

Mr Chanda said it was surprising that some individuals vying for public office were in the forefront inciting vendors, when they were supposed to mentor them and help them grow their businesses to be like them.

He however appealed to the Government not to succumb to pressure from some individuals who were inciting the vendors to rise against the State for halting the vending following the outbreak of cholera in Lusaka.

Mr Chanda said politics was not a rhetoric statement to gain political mileage without any solution for the country, but instead needs maturity and humility.

“We are aware of the fact that UPND wants to take advantage of the situation, but as a party full of businesspersons, we expect them to inspire and mentor those traders and vendors on how to grow their business to be like them in future.

What is the point of blaming the government for trying to save the lives of people on the streets, when each and every day, they have been hearing reports on cholera, which has affected every well meaningful Zambian,” he said.

Mr Chanda charged that politicians should know their best time to campaign and not use an opportunity to quench their agenda instead of seeking recognition from people through their careless statements.

He has appealed to vendors not to be used as a bridge to condemn the government, when it was trying its best to ensure they trade in a conducive environment.

“It is the duty of government to ensure its people are protected and therefore all the marketeers should cooperate if they are to achieve desired results that was beneficial for their sustainable livelihood”. he said.