By Maranatha Chirwa
Mzuzu, July 7, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) has disclosed that it was facing challenges in addressing illegal vending, which has turned almost each and every corner of the City a market place.
According to Public Relations Officer (PRO) for MCC, MacDonald Gondwe, the City has the highest population growth rate at almost 5 percent as compared all the cities in the country, hence increased number of people venturing into businesses for their livelihoods.
Whilst acknowledging rampart of illegal vending in the City, he said to reduce pressure on business space, the Council has Mzuzu Main Market and has established Zigwagwa Fare Market and Katawa Market which he said are underutilized due to illegal vending.
“The problem can be sorted out if illegal vendors relocate to these markets and we are currently strategizing on how we can address the situation after several failed attempts.
By law, the Council is supposed to confiscate the vendors merchandize and thereafter they are supposed to be prosecuted, but on a humanitarian basis, the council usually prioritizes contact and dialogue,” Gondwe said.
According to a businesswoman in Mzuzu City Main Market. Esther Longwe, most customers opt to buy from vendors who conduct their trade outside the market than by purchasing from the vendors in market which pay market fees as our obligation on daily basis.
“We have been pleading with the City Council for years to relocate these vendors to designated markets for fare business operations amongst all of us,” she said.
A Business lady, Benedetta Msowoya said most vendors refuse to relocate to designated markets, describing the market cites as not suitable for business.
A Fruit seller along streets in the City for four years, Daniel Msongole said he takes the risk because there was no favourable place where he could relocate to with his business.
Chairperson for Mzuzu City Main Market, Alexander Sikwese said efforts by both Council and the market’s committee to address the issues have not yielded anything.
