Mzuzu City battles illegal vending
Mzuzu City Council has admitted facing challenges in addressing illegal vending, which has turned almost every corner of the city into a market place.
According to the council’s spokesperson MacDonald Gondwe, the city has experienced an increased number of people venturing into businesses to eke a living.
He said to reduce pressure on business space, the council designated Mzuzu Main Market as well as Zigwagwa and Katawa markets for trading, but these are underutilised as some traders opt for street vending.
Said Gondwe: “The problem can be sorted out if illegal vendors relocate to these markets. So, we are strategising on how best we can address the situation after several failed attempts.”
He said the city by-laws, allow the council to confiscate vendors merchandise and thereafter get them prosecuted, but they have opted for contact and dialogue with the vendors.
Mzuzu Main Market trader Esther Longwe in an interview said most customers opt to buy from street vendors than those in the markets.
She said: “Additionally, those who trade in the market also pay market fees on a daily basis. That is why our colleagues opt to ply their trade along the streets.”
Speaking separately, Mzuzu Main Market chairperson Alexander Sikwese said it was disappointing that efforts by the council to relocate the street vendors back to the markets had not yielded any result.
