The Association Of Vendors, Traders, and Marketeers of Zambia-AVTMZ has attributed the growing need for local authorities to shut down businesses in trading spaces due to the cholera outbreak, to their failure to proactively carry out their mandate.
Association Secretary General Musonda Mushota says local authorities have failed to provide, water, electricity, and security in markets and bus stations hence the existing unsanitary conditions.
With the Kitwe City Council ordering the removal of numerous stalls at Chisokone Market citing the cholera outbreak, Mr. Mushota wonders how the local authority has allowed Zambian citizens to trade in a place that is not conducive while charging them daily fees without providing any services.
He says the response by local authorities is uncoordinated and has accused the Kitwe City Council of using the Epidemic to take over the trader's shops as opposed to providing the required sanitation standards.
PHOENIX NEWS