Leave vendors alone, HH tells Nkombo

President Hakainde Hichilema has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural development not to remove street vendors from undesignated trading places until further consultations are held.

This follows a meeting chaired by Hichilema, Saturday afternoon at State House to review the directive given by Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Gary Nkombo for vendors to leave the streets by Monday.

The meeting was attended by a committee of Ministers, Secretary to the Cabinet, the Mayor of Lusaka and all Seven Members of Parliament in Lusaka District.

After the meeting, Nkombo said stakeholders indicated that adequate time and information was not given in relation to the directive.

He said on Monday, his Ministry will start the consultation process by holding a meeting with all the MPs and Councilors in the City of Lusaka.

Nkombo added that the consultations will be with stakeholders who will include traders, local authorities and health authorities, also noting that 20th January has been designated as a day of cleaning trading places and streets by all stakeholders across the country.

On Friday, Nkombo directed local authorities to ensure all street vendors are moved to designate trading places by Monday 16th January 2023, to combat cholera and other diarrheal diseases.