Vendors admit politics confuses city order
Vendors in Lilongwe have said politics has led to disorder in the city as some of them have returned to the streets with the blessings of the ruling party.
The vendors said this on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting attended by Deputy Minister of Local Government Godfrey Kamanya, the Malawi Police Service, Lilongwe City Council, National Intelligence Service, vendors and representatives of the Minibus Owners Association at the Lilongwe Civic Offices.
They met to deliberate on how to deal with vendors who have returned to the streets in Lilongwe.
According to the vendors, the confusion started after former chairperson James Yelayela, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporter, was replaced with George Banda, a People’s Party (PP) sympathiser.
Ironically, Yelayela assumed the position after the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika. He took over from Steve Malunga, another DPP sympathiser.
“Leadership for the vendors association follows the politics of the day. When the country’s presidency changes, our leadership changes too. So, Yelayela came in because of the coming in of the [President Joyce] Banda led administration,” said Banda.
The Lilongwe vendors constitution stipulates that a chairperson should serves for a period of five years.
Yelayela warned that the confusion will always be there as long as the leadership wrangles continue.
Commenting on why he was deposed, Yelayela said: “I am the rightful chairperson.”
Vice-national coordinator for Minibus Owners Association, Mackson Kachitsa, described the infiltration of politics into vending as an eyesore that has led to confusion and disgrace in the capital city.
Kamanya also admitted that politics has destroyed the city order.
