Kitwe relocates over 1,281 street vendors

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:52:12 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

ABOUT 1,281 street vendors have been relocated to Chisokone market after a successful meeting with Vendors Association of Zambia, says Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe.

Mr Kang’ombe said this followed numerous complaints from over 250 registered businessmen within the central business district and traders from Chisokone market that their businesses were affected by the vendors because customers opted to buy from the streets.

He was, however, disappointed to see a few vendors protest on Saturday after abandoning the alternative trading spaces given to them inside the market and some near Chisokone market.

He described the protest as selfish and barbaric and that the element of selfness has to be exposed because the motive was to get more business than those trading from the market including the registered businessmen who were paying levy to the council.

Mr Kang’ombe observed that the town centre was ever dirty arising from litter and garbage that was being generated by the vendors as well as condition of hygiene became compromised especially during rainy season and that vendors would not be allowed in town.

“All shop owners in CDB pay K1,000 annual business levy including health permit if they are selling food and mandatory fire certificate to the council. As for  traders in Chisokone market they pay K2 levy, hence we took steps  to engage  both the street vendors and their leaders which was held on 22nd October 2016,’’ said Mr Kang’ombe.

Mr Kang’ombe said after holding several meetings the vendors were relocated and that  had excited the general public, hence KCC would continue engaging stakeholders as well as making steps that would make a conducive trading environment to both the marketers and former street vendors.