By Agness Changala
We will eventually catch up with you, Local Government permanent secretary Maambo Hamaundu has warned street vendors.
A check by Daily Revelation Media around town revealed that some
vendors are slowly but steadily creeping back onto the same streets they were chased from not too long ago, with some comfortably seen on the corridors of some shops and conducting their businesses.
In years past, political consideration has given way to the other important aspect of keeping sanity in the city, especially as street vendors are viewed as being too many and as people who vote in the elections.
Contacted for comment over the vendors that are slowly and steadily making their way back to the central, Hamaundu vowed that the Ministry of Local Government will not relent in enforcing the law aimed at keeping away vendors from the streets of Lusaka and any other town.
He warned that all those defying the order to keep away from the streets are risking their freedom, capital and businesses.
“But we will not relent through the Lusaka City Council, or through
the local authorities across the country. I don’t think that we will
relent. So it’s really not necessary for one to expose themselves to
custodial sentence and even losing their capital. Instead of using
this money for a resell, they end up losing through a fine, when an
option is there for you to operate in a market which is more
conducive, which has toilets and all other social amenities that are
relevant for the operations of the market,” Hamaundu said. “So that is what
our brothers and sisters who are doing funny things must be looking at.”
Hamaundu said it was wise to always listen.
“And if you are not caught today, it’s not because we will let
you stay there, you probably… the lucky stars were favoring you but
eventually we will catch up with you,” he said.
Hamaundu also said there is a team of officers who often go around and
anyone they found operating illegally is being nabbed and being taken
to the fast truck court adding that this will be done for as long as
it is necessary.
The permanent secretary has appealed to those involved in vending that
the government has offered market places where they can go and trade.
“Go in the market. Why do you want to risk losing your money and
eventually losing your freedom because when you are found wanting, you
are either punished by way of a fine or you could suffer both a fine
and custodial sentence?” asked Hamaundu.
