CHITAMBALA MWEWA IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW, HE MIGHT BE SUED SAYS KAMANAMGA. Former Lusaka Mayor and Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga says Mayor-elect Chitambala Mwewa is not following the law in his efforts to remove street vendors from undesignated trading areas. Mr. Kamanga says Mr. Mwewa is acting prematurely because he has not yet been […]

CHITAMBALA MWEWA IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW, HE MIGHT BE SUED SAYS KAMANAMGA.

Former Lusaka Mayor and Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga says Mayor-elect Chitambala Mwewa is not following the law in his efforts to remove street vendors from undesignated trading areas.

Mr. Kamanga says Mr. Mwewa is acting prematurely because he has not yet been formally installed as Mayor of Lusaka.

He argues that, until the new mayor and councillors are officially installed, Mr. Mwewa does not have the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the Lusaka City Council.

Mr. Kamanga has warned that actions taken before the formal installation could trigger legal battles, particularly where decisions involve the use of council resources, the relocation of traders and coordination with law-enforcement agencies.

He, however, says he supports the objective of Mr. Mwewa’s Operation Clear Path, which seeks to restore order and improve the cleanliness and functionality of Lusaka.

Mr. Kamanga argues that because the newly elected councils and mayors have not yet been formally installed, questions arise over whether major decisions affecting thousands of traders and council operations have followed the required legal and administrative procedures.

He says council decisions should ordinarily be properly considered, resolved and recorded to ensure that they can withstand any potential legal challenge.

His comments come as the Lusaka City Council moves into Phase Two of Operation Clear Path, targeting Katondo Street, unauthorised bus operations, wheelbarrow traders and other activities taking place in undesignated areas

The council maintains that traders should operate from recognised markets and says enforcement of the city’s regulations will continue.
– Zambian Watch.