GIDEON NYENDWA
SOCIAL media personality Simon Mwewa, commonly known as Simon Mwewa Lane has been assaulted after reporting illegal traders operating in undesignated areas at the newly opened Simon Mwewa Market.
Mr.Mwewa, managing director at Simoson Building has complained that he was almost killed after being clobbered by a group of marketeers who were angered by his report to Lusaka City Council officials about unauthorized trading activities.
He said some traders who were legally allocated trading spaces inside the market at a monthly rental fee of K300 were instead subletting the stalls for up to K3,000 and moved to vend illegally along walkways.
Mr Mwewa said when he reported the matter to the Council, the Town Clerk dispatched council police to confiscate tables from the offenders, explaining that the enforcement action triggered the attack against him.
Police in Lusaka have since confirmed recording a case of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (OABH) involving Mr. Mwewa, who resides in Avondale. The incident occurred at around 08:00 hours yesterday near the Simoson Building on Simon Mwewa Lane.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Mwewa approached a group of vendors and advised them to move back to their designated trading spots inside the market.
The vendors reportedly responded with hostility, pelting him with stones. One stone hit Mr. Mwewa on the forehead, leaving him with a visible swelling. Police officers responded to the scene shortly after being alerted, but the suspects had fled by the time they arrived. A medical report has been issued to the victim, and investigations are ongoing.
“No arrests have been made so far,” said Assistant Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi in a statement.
He also urged members of the public with any information that could help identify the attackers to come forward and assist in the investigation. Mr. Mwewa said the incident was not politically motivated, stating, “This has nothing to do with the cadres. It was the marketeers.”
