Blantyre City Council to evict street vendors next Monday

Blantyre City Council (BCC) authorities say a campaign to remove vendors from the streets is expected to start on Monday next week. This follows the flooding of vendors into the streets who sell various business merchandise including consumables.

BCC chief executive officer (CEO) Ted Nandolo told The Nation that the council wants to make the streets clean as they used be before.

Nandolo said the city council was dismayed by the irresponsible vending taking place, especially along the Haile Selassie Road during pick hours.

“It’s a shame that people have turned the city street pavements into irish potato, cabbage and tomato markets,” he said.

He further complained that Malawians have all of a sudden developed niche for disregarding laws.

“Where do people get the temerity to unlawfully trade along the city pavements as early as 7am?”

Nandolo then affirmed the assembly’s resolve to rid the streets pavements of the illegal vendors describing the tendency as catalyst for pick pocketing and robbery apart from an eye sore for visitors and tourists.

He also condemned people who buy from these vendors as this encourages the spirit of law breaking.

“If people stop buying from them they will be ashamed and eventually will return to their respective designated trading spaces.

“Nevertheless, the police and our men are ready for the eviction exercise this Monday” said Nandolo.