Probe Chipata vendors scuffle, says Mwale

CHIPATA City Council Town Clerk has been directed to investigate and take appropriate action against council officers where necessary in matter where merchandise belonging to street vendors was allegedly destroyed.

Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale said Government was concerned with the manner the council officers implemented Statutory Instrument number 12 of 2018 on Street Vending and Nuisances.

He said officers were not supposed to brutalize or destroy merchandise from street vendors but to implement the SI in accordance with the stipulated guidelines.

Mr Mwale said the SI was issued with the aim of curbing public nuisance and street vending in a humane and acceptable manner and not to torment citizens.

The Minister said this in Ministerial Statement on the Implementation of SI No. 12 of 2018 (Street Vending and Nuisances) in Parliament yesterday.

“The powers to implement this law are vested in local authorities. Generally, laws are meant to govern citizens in a humane and acceptable manner. In this case, the council police ought to follow designated procedures in executing their mandate. “Following what happened in Chipata, I have directed the Town Clerk, Chipata City Council, to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against all those who will be found erring in implementing the law.

“The question that begs an answer is how do they expect to prove their case against the offenders if the evidence is destroyed,” Mr Mwale asked.