Nakonde Town Council in Muchinga Province has ordered all street vendors operating in non-designated trading zones to immediately cease illegal trading and relocate to designated public markets. ‎ ‎Nakonde Town Council Secretary, Donald Mwanza said the local authority has given…

Nakonde Town Council in Muchinga Province has ordered all street vendors operating in non-designated trading zones to immediately cease illegal trading and relocate to designated public markets.

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‎Nakonde Town Council Secretary, Donald Mwanza said the local authority has given vendors seven days to voluntarily vacate the streets and relocate to official designated market places.

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‎Mr Mwanza made this pronouncement in a notice  made available to  ZANIS in Nakonde.

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‎He said all vendors must vacate the streets by Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 at 17:00 hours.

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‎”Notice is hereby given to all street vendors operating in non-designated trading zones, including streets, footpaths and road reserves, to immediately cease illegal trading and relocate to designated public markets,” reads the notice in part.

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‎Mr Mwanza stated that unregulated street trading causes severe municipal, health and safety risks.

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‎Mr Mwanza said some of the risks include inadequate access to sanitation facilities which creates serious environmental health hazards and risk of disease outbreaks, obstruction of streets and walkways which creates traffic congestion and exposes pedestrians to road hazards.

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‎He named other risks as blocked roadways which impede rapid response of emergency services including fire trucks and ambulances.

The Council Secretary adds that illegal vending also undermines compliant traders who are operating legally within designated municipal markets.

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‎He pointed out that the action is being taken pursuant to legal powers vested in the local authority under the Local Government (Street Vending and Nuisances) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations, 2018 read as one with the Local Government (Street Vending and Nuisances) Regulations, 1992.

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‎”Under these regulations, trading in undesignated public areas, obstructing pathways, or causing public nuisances is strictly illegal,” he stated.

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‎Mr Mwanza warned that failure to comply by the stipulated deadline will result in strict enforcement including immediate eviction, confiscation of mechandise and legal prosecution.

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‎The Council Secretary further advised vendors to report to the Market Master for stall allocations and market registration.

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‎Meanwhile, a resident of Nakonde, Chiwanza Nakaonga, has welcomed the move by the local authority.

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‎Ms Nakaonga said street vending has been causing congestion and making the town dirty.

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‎She has also urged vendors to comply with the directive and relocate to designated markets.

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‎”I want to thank the Council for this move. Our town was becoming too congested and dirty because of street vending. This will bring order and cleanliness back to Nakonde,” she said.

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