The Council and Ministry of Health yesterday swung into action to close bars and food outlets that were operating without sanitary conditions in Lukanga Swamps in Kapiri Mposhi district.
The operation to close bars and restaurants was in the bid to contain the spread of Cholera and other diarrheal diseases which are currently widespread in the area.
Recently, 15 people died from Cholera in the area and many more were admitted and treated at Waya Clinic, the only Health Center in Lukanga Swamps.
Kapiri Mposhi District Council, Environmental Health Officer, Peter Sati who led the crew told ZANIS that the closure of the outlets followed an order by Kapiri Mposhi District Magistrates Court.
Mr Sati said the District Health Team sought for an order to close the outlets because their owners had failed to observe the minimum health and sanitary standards required for one to run bars and food outlets which is in contravention with the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 Section 7 and Chapter 295 of the Public Health Act.
He said the owners of the outlets in the area had been reminded and warned several times to observe the Food and Drugs and Public Health Acts and other subsidiary laws to ensure they operate in sanitary conditions.
Mr Sati said the outlet’s owners however ignored the reminders and opted to operate without toilets and running water.
He said the conditions in which the outlets were operating necessitated the further spread of Cholera which claimed people’s lives recently.
15 people died while over 40 others were admitted to Waya Clinic after experiencing severe Diarrhoea and vomiting.
The Cholera broke out at Kaswende, Waya, Kabosha and Ngwenya fishing camps on Lukanga Swamps.
ZANIS
This is the problem with authorities in Zambia. What is needed are toilets water and not closing people’s source of liveliwood. These people will just go back the moment the council turns their back because alternative source of income has not been provided to these people. Whose job is it to provide water and sanitation?
good point
This is very commendable they should also carry out this exercise in kitwe some of these bars and restaurants are filthy to say the least bravo ministry of health
closing should have been done before the outbreaks and before precious lives were lost.
These guys in Kapiri Mposhi yaba! How do they name a township “Kaswende”?
Just like the guys in Kafue who named their compound “Kabuchende”. Some names are just unbelievable.
Yes I agree with you No 1., The council will not solve anything by closing these food outlets and if anything, they are creating even more problems and punishing those younger boys/girls roaming the streets even more. We should NOT rush to arrest, imprison and/or mete out “instant justice” to wrong doers like thieves. We should first ask them why they stole in the first place. If the reasons for stealing is because the poor fellow is hungry, let us show him how to grow own food first. The council in Kapiri would do well to cleanse their toilets in the first place before they ask others to clean theirs…Â
if i had the authority, i would just close the entire town cos it is generally dirty.
Registered businesses harassed but street vendors are left free. What Nonsense.
They are wrong and right: wrong because they should not have issued trading licences to businesses that did not meet the required standards such as good toilets, proper washing up areas etc. They are right because the owners of these premises never took the time to do the right thing…start from the scratch.
is DAPP a bar, I thought they sell Salaula and give free mosquito nets. Why that picture?
Why were they allowed to operate in the 1st place if they never met sanitary requirements?Its a failure of the regulatory authorities.The food joints operators too have failed as businessmen if they just wait for govt to enforce rules.Laxity in observing cleanliness is a pointer that you’re not working hard to succeed as business people since you shud have self regulation and striving at high standards regardless of govt regulations or lack thereof.
Thats a nice move by the Health Inspectors infact this December m coming to work from there, Mr Hamwende Mpande clean the city
Zambians we are generally dirty but like to appear smart in public…men like wearing suites and ties even in bars on weekends. They also carry with them tinny clothes for cleaning shoes after walking 20 meters. Women have bleached themselves carelessily, yet their homes are very dirty. Dirty walls they cant even buy 25litres of paint, toilets can’t flush, door handles broken, windows broken, they bath in tins and buckets yet spend lots of money on alcohol, clothes and cosmetics. People even through empty cans of drinks onto the streets through windows of expensive cars…then blame councils and government, its very shameful.
Tell them.its really very very shameful.
very true indeed! even spiting everywhere and anyhow and things like banana or orange peel but look at whatthe person is wearing or driving tjo. Very pathetic indeed
A NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY FRIEND OF MINE ONCE TOLD ME THAT HE LIKES ZAMBIANS AS THEY TALK SMART, BUT WHAT HE DOES NOT LIKE ABOUT ZAMBIANS IS DIRTINESS, IFIKO.
I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE TYPE OF PUBLIC TOILETS IN LUSAKA AND ESPECIALLY KAPIRI. ONE WOULD RATHER DO IT OUTSIDE!
FWEBENA ZAMBIA TWASEBANA PAFULA! KAZUNGULA BORDER TOILETS, IYEEE!!!!!
I KNOW THAT CURRENT PRESIDO IS A SERIOUS MAN AND THIS PROBLEM WILL BE ADDRESSED COUNTRY WIDE AND VERY SOON.
AS FOR NOW, COUNCILS SHOULD CREATE & BUILD THE BEST TOILETS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICA. IF THEY DON’T, ZAMBIA WILL NEVER HAVE A COMPARATIVE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.
#4 Soth African, that means the the township was renowned for the same. Ever heard of a township called Bolabola?
I’m not surprised at all.I’ve often said zambia is a cesspool of filth and been called names for pointing out the bitter truth.We’re too lazy and ignorant to adhere to stringent sanitary standards.Even central Lusaka is dirty with unkempt buildings,uncollected garbage and dirty vermin selling unchecked and expired food to the public.Their food handling is pathetic and i’m glad i’ve never bought from these vermin.
i agree with no.12,very true.we should be clean from inside, not only outside just for impression,and thats what most of us are.
why didnt the COUNCIL close these BARS earlier on before the Cholera outbreak???
Corruption. Resulting in death of pipo.