Vendors threaten not to leave the streets

A group of street vendors in Lilongwe have threatened not to comply with an order by the government to move out of the streets by July 20 and relocate to designated market places.

The vendors say the move is in retaliation to an alleged failure by the authorities to fulfill a pledge to give them money to boost their business capital.

Said one vendor: “Our representatives promised us that they will give us loans to boost our businesses before we move out of the streets.

“So it’s surprising to hear that we should move out of the streets in two weeks time before they have honoured their pledges.

“We will not move out, unless they give us the money.”

But chairman of the vendors association in Lilongwe James Soko denied to have promised the vendors any loans.

“We didn’t promise them any loan. We just advised them to move to the markets for easy identification and planning,” said Soko

Soko added that they will meet with the concerned the vendors before July 20 to avoid violence.

The vendors have been given up to Friday next week to relocate to designated market places or face forceful eviction.

This was agreed at a meeting the vendors held with President Joyce Banda earlier this week in Lilongwe.