By Staff Reporter
Lusaka Mayor (PF) Chilando Chitangala says vending is a very bad cancer, saying vendors and marketeers must not hold the government to ransom as they work towards keeping vendors away from the streets for good.
And Chitangala said it is not fair to always refer to the caderism in bus stations and markets during the PF reign, because it is clear for all to see what is currently happening in these public spaces.
Speaking with Daily Revelation following the cries by the vendors who have been removed from the streets and the opposition politicians who are supporting them, Chitangala said those criticising the move to rid the streets of the vendors were not patriotic.
She said the Lusaka City Council has been very active, working alongside police, RATSA and parent Ministry of Local Government in clearing the streets of Lusaka’s Central Business District of vendors.
She said this was a process that started in September 2021, saying one of her passions for election to mayor, following her stint as deputy, was to come and keep the city clean, wondering why people were engaging in politics over the removal of the vendors when it was in the best interest of the larger society.
She said people want to live and work in a city that is clean and free of diseases, saying they just have to put their foot down and do the right thing against politicking.
She said there were more than 6000 empty stands in market around the district.
“We cannot continue with this illegality. I think it’s just not fair on us as a local authority and on the government and just on the people, you the people that live in this city. So there should be no politics involved. Let’s all drive this because it’s to the benefit of all of us, whether you are in the opposition or in the ruling,” Chitangala said. “If you want to use politics of old, talk against Lusaka City Council, RATSA or the Ministry of Local Government then you are not a patriotic Zambian. That’s all I would say.”
But asked on the fact that this was not the first time the vendors were being removed from the streets as that has happened previously before they creeped back onto the streets again following political pressure, and was asked on what assurances she was giving that the vendors would not go back to the streets again, Chitangala said the move that has been taken is very good, saying it was important that the face of the capital city reflects properly so that other places can also copy from.
“So for me let’s not encourage politics. I know you can’t divorce politics in markets and bus stops. But you can manage them. But I am not saying that we should go back to vending. Vending is a bad cancer, and I am hoping and praying that it should not happen. Because we do have spaces in the markets,” Chitangala said. “Let’s not allow the vendors and marketeers hold us at random as a government. So we just have to be sustainable and I am hoping that it will be sustainable for the betterment of just everybody that live in the city.”
She said she was hoping that “this thing” will not go that route again where vendors are allowed back onto the streets for political considerations.
“We can’t work alone as a local authority. That’s why this exercise has even taken long. We needed support from our parent Ministry who are the Ministry of Local Government and we needed a lot of support from top leadership and we have received that support from top leadership,” Chitangala said. “I think it’s important that top leadership has to come down and help is sort out these issues and we are grateful that this has finally come.”
Much has been said about the caderism which characterised markets and bus stations during the PF reign, with those in UPND claiming that the vice has ended under their administration, Chitangala said everybody could see what was happening in markets and bus stations.
“As a Zambian you know exactly what is happening. That is all I can say. On your own as a Zambian and as a journalist you know exactly what is on the ground. So that is my answer. I will not answer that,” said Chitangala. “And I think it’s quite unfair for you people to also refer to the the past when your eyes yourself you can see exactly what is happening. So as a journalist please go on the ground and have a look. The answer is right there in front of our eyes all of us. Yah! The answer is there, there is nothing to hide. You can actually see with your own naked eyes what is on the ground. You know what I am not even happy to be referring to the past because what is on the ground right now everybody can see with their own eyes.”
