By Andrew Phiri

Thyolo, 26 April, Mana: Business operators at Luchenza Municipal Council in Thyolo District have demonstrated and petitioned Luchenza town assembly over tax hike of about 400 percent on various businesses and substandard public infrastructure such as bus depot which was constructed few years ago but is said to be in a sorry state.

Delivering the petition to the Luchenza Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer, Wanyapakucha Mzumara, one of the leaders for the group, George Jubeki, said it was worrisome to see the council raising business tax with 400 percent as majority of businesses are small.

He said the demonstrations have provided opportunity for them to raise their concerns, adding that businesses such as kabaza bicycles operators, mandasi and chips sellers face various abuses from council’s mobile tax collectors.

“We hope that the issues we have raised in our petition will help the council to reduce the taxes because we have been paying tax for many years but there is no tangible development.

" Many businesses are closing because they are failing to operate with the tax standard so it is our hope that by next month, all these issues will be addressed," he said.

Speaking after receiving the petition, Mzumara said before raising the business license fees, the council made systematic review in all areas.

"We normally do consultations and we engaged one of the business leaders in the previous meetings and expected to receive feedback from them which has not been the case until today,

"We will ensure that there is good relationship between our members of staff and business people because Luchenza is a business oriented municipal council," he added.

People demonstrated from Makande Trading Center via Luchenza community ground to the municipal offices and this was the first time for business operators in the area to hold peaceful demonstrations.