Mzuzu City vendors have said their June 17 demonstrations were apolitical despite some politically-motivated individuals equipped with offensive weapons disrupting it.
Speaking on Friday to journalists in Mzuzu, the vendors’ chairperson Alexander Sikwese said their intention to hold demonstrations was only intended to express their concerns to the government without violence.
He was referring to the disruption of last Tuesday’s protests which forced the vendors to secretly deliver their petition to M’Mbelwa District Council without marching in the streets as planned.
| Euneas Zinyengo
Said Sikwese: “We did not receive money to conduct demonstrations as speculated by some people that opposition parties funded us to frustrate the government.
“It was, in fact, those panga-wielding thugs patrolling the roads, that were sent by politicians to intimidate us. We have our own issues we want government to address.”
He said they want government to limit foreign nationals to conducting wholesale businesses only.
Sikwese said they will continue voicing out their concerns using lawful means until a time the government provides solutions.
He said: “Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba once assured us that
our issues could not take time to be solved.
“However, we will continue fighting for what we want using possible means, including contact and dialogue with duty bearers.”
Different stakeholders, including the Young Human Rights Defenders Network patronised the press conference.
The network’s chairperson Mervin Nqumayo asked politicians to refrain from using youths to incite violence.
“It was unfortunate to notice youths wielding pangas poised to maim innocent vendors who were simply exercising their constitutional rights,” he said.
Mzuzu City Council is expected to mediate between disgruntled vendors and the ministry today.
The discussion will also revolve around vendors’ decision to boycott payment of daily market fees to the city council.
