Councillor calls for sober negotiations in Mzuzu wrangle
While Mzuzu City mayor William Mkandawire has maintained that market fees will not be lowered, councillor Lusubiro Mwangonde, whose ward covers Mzuzu central business district(CBD), has appealed for further negotiations to resolve the market fee stalemate, saying antagonism will negatively affect the council and other stakeholders.
The vendors have consulted lawyers to drag the council to court and are allegedly plotting demonstrations.
They say the council is imposing fees that will paralyse their businesses.
However, Mkandawire on Monday maintained that the council will not bow down to vendors’ demands, adding the vendors were at liberty to drag the council to court.
Said the mayor: “Whether they like it or not, we will collect the money. They will pay the K150 and we will not reduce that.”
Mwangonde, however, said there is need for further negotiations.
Mzuzu Main Market secretary Franklin Hara said vendors are consulting lawyers, but are also planning to hold demonstration on July 20.