The government has maintained that street vending in any part of the country is illegal and those found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.
Local Government and Housing Minister Charles Banda said no legislation has been amended to legalize street vending and that it remains illegal in accordance with Statutory Instrument no. 12 of 2018.
Addressing the media in Lusaka today, Mr Banda stressed that the government’s position on street vending has not changed and that the stern warning should be taken seriously.
Mr Banda warned that no one has been allowed to set up stalls along Lumumba road or any part of Lusaka at any given time, adding that such structures are destruction towards efforts being made to beautify the city.
The Minister, however, pointed out that street vending in Lusaka is only allowed around Simon Mwewa Market due to presence of sanitary provisions.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda has regretted the closure of Pep stores in Choma District in Southern Province due to street vending near the premises.
The Minister castigated the local authority in Choma for not curbing street vending as it has the responsibility of doing so.
Mr Banda however commended the Provincial administration in Southern province for its vigilance in curbing street vending in the provincial centre.
The Minister has since directed all local authorities around the country to take charge and Control Street vending in their various localities.
Mr Banda also disclosed that government has come up with a draft urban policy to help municipal institutions to plan and manage urban growth, as well as deliver cost-effective public services and infrastructure.
He pointed out that Zambia is one of the most urbanized countries in Southern Africa and reiterated government’s plan to achieve sustainable urban development.
And, Government says it is scouting for K30 million to ensure that construction of Simon Mwewa Market is completed in full.
Local Government and Housing Minister Charles Banda said government owes subcontractors K15 million and another K15 million is owed to the main contractor Zambia National Service (ZNS).
Mr Banda told journalists in Lusaka today that over K40 million has been spent so far on construction of the Simon Mwewa Market.
The Minister said the construction works have reached 88 percent and that final touches by sub-contractors are expected to be completed by December 2019, if funds are made available.
Mr Banda said it is in his ministry’s interest to ensure that the market is completed on time, even if the ministry is not funding the construction because it is mandated to provide trading places.
The market which is being financed by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) is expected to accommodate about 3,500 traders.
Meanwhile Mr Banda has revealed that government has assembled a team of engineers from his ministry and officials from the Ministry of Finance to develop and finalise designs and investment model, for the construction of the state of the art Lusaka city market.
The Minister said the new three storey market will accommodate 14, 000 traders and will have a mini fire station, clinic , police post, kindergarten and an annex bus station to accommodate 3,000 buses per day.
The Lusaka City Market was gutted by fire on 4th July 2017 and government is working to scout for investment to develop a modern market at the old site.
Bwana Minister Banda, have you just resurrected from the dead straight into your home on Gore Brown Close? …
PF confusion.
Didnt Sampa the clown posing as Mayor say the opposite?
Watching poono is still illegal, those found receiving videos from that minister will NOT face the wrath of the law.
Mere rhetoric. Street vending is back in full force and councils are even encouraging it by closing down certain streets in the afternoons to enable vendors carry on selling without hindrance at the expense of licenced traders and motor vehicles wishing access through those streets.
In Choma PF MCC Kebby Mbewe led over 300 former street vendors and brought them back in the streets . The guy is a proper hypocrite and a crook for PF Secretary General Davies Mwila who shares party cash with him
Give us a break Charles Banda you sound very dull. Talking from the comfort of your chair.
You know you need the votes of vendors. Go to Lumumba Road right now they are trading.
Better to shut up sometimes than to expose your f o o l i s h voice.
This man must do 2 things;
1. Put it in black and white that what PF SG Davies Mwila nabambi nabambi said on street vending and night trading along Lumumba road is illegal.
2. Go on the ground, stop hiding in that airconditioned office, see whats happening and enforce the law on that illegality.
There is absolutely no respect for due process, bylaws or indeed national laws. They only apply when fixing anyone opposing those in power. I bet you any vendor found to be from an opposition party will face the full force and weight of the law as intended – especially when they show prowess and success in their street vending. Fyabupuba fye fyonse mu calo.