Calamity hits vendors

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:16:40 +0000

… roofless market leaves goods spoilt following downpour

By KALOBWE BWALYA

CALAMITY has hit street vendors who were allocated stands at the gutted City market following unexpected rains on Saturday which soaked their goods as a result of an open roof.

The traders have since appealed to Lusaka City Council to come to their aid.

One of the affected traders, Solomon Chaswe told the Daily Nation that the merchandise were socked due to the uncovered roof in the trading area.

Mr Chaswe said products like electrical appliances and non-water resistant merchandise were getting damaged because of being in contact with water.

“We appreciate government’s stance to re-allocate stands, but our concern is that Government should quickly cover the roofs so that we are protected from rains because each time it showered or rained, our products get socked,” said Mr Chaswe.

Another trader, Melody Kaisala, said despite being given a trading space a lot needs to be done in terms of improving security measures to ensure that people’s property are secured.

But City Market chairman, Gift Simusamba said government was aware of the situation and would soon provide the necessary support to ensure that traders’ products were not damaged. And Mr Simuchimba has warned vendors who have started throwing garbage in the drainage that they risk being removed from trading inside.

“I also want to warn vendors who have started throwing garbage in the drain at city market that they risk being removed from the market and once found wanting they will be taken to police because it is a crime,” said Mr Simusamba.

 Allocation of stands at the gutted Lusaka city market to evicted street vendors commenced this morning amid confusion. A check by Muvi TV news found hundreds of angry traders jostling to be given stands to resume trading which was abruptly cut due to the outbreak of Cholera in Lusaka.