UPND backs Lusaka street vendor relocation
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has thrown its weight behind the Lusaka City Council’s decision to remove street vendors from undesignated trading areas, saying the capital has enough market space to accommodate those currently trading on the streets.
Lusaka, 3 September – UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda said the party supported the council’s enforcement of trading regulations and dismissed suggestions that people who recently protested against the relocation of vendors were acting on behalf of the ruling party.
The council, working with the Zambia Police Service, is expected to begin a joint enforcement operation on Saturday, October 3, following the expiry of the September 29 deadline given to street vendors to leave undesignated trading areas.
Mr Imenda said a survey conducted by the party had established that about 8,000 people were operating as street vendors, while more than 14,000 trading spaces were available in markets across Lusaka.
He said the situation had resulted in some traders abandoning their designated spaces and moving onto the streets, with some allegedly renting out their market spaces for as much as K1,500.
According to Mr Imenda, the practice was depriving the local authority of revenue while leaving legitimate market spaces unused.
“If we have 14,000 abandoned stands when we only have about 8,000 street vendors, then there is no reason whatsoever for people to be trading in the streets,” he said.
The figures are broadly consistent with statements from the Lusaka City Council and Mayor Chitambala Mwewa, who have said the city has more than 14,000 available spaces across 28 markets for more than 8,000 street vendors.
Mr Imenda said the relocation was also necessary to improve sanitation and public health, arguing that the accumulation of waste associated with unregulated trading contributed to conditions that could facilitate outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
He also linked street vending to congestion and what he described as a deterioration in the business environment, particularly along major roads in the Central Business District such as Cairo Road, Lumumba Road, Freedom Way and Cha Cha Cha Road.
“We are not going to accept a situation where we are made to live in a dirty town in the name of praising or trying to please street vendors,” Mr Imenda said.
He said the congestion had made some parts of the CBD less attractive to businesses, customers and visitors.
Mr Imenda further insisted that people who had protested against the council’s directive while wearing UPND regalia did not represent the position of the party.
He said UPND members were expected to respect the law and support efforts to restore order in the city.
The council’s directive has, however, faced resistance from some traders who say street vending is their source of livelihood and have questioned whether designated markets can provide them with sufficient space and customers. Some vendors protested the relocation after the September 29 deadline.
Mr Imenda said traders should instead approach the council for available spaces and continue their businesses from designated locations.
He also called for public service vehicles operating from undesignated points to be moved to recognised bus stations, arguing that indiscriminate picking up and dropping off of passengers was contributing to congestion.
He urged the council and law-enforcement agencies to ensure that the enforcement exercise was applied consistently.
At the same time, Mr Imenda called on the council to strengthen waste management by providing more bins across the city.
He said maintaining a clean Lusaka should not be left to enforcement alone, but should involve the council, traders, businesses and residents.
“Why should Zambians only experience hygienic environments when they travel abroad?” he asked, arguing that Lusaka should also be capable of providing a clean and orderly environment for its residents.
The council has said the enforcement operation is intended to restore cleanliness, public health, safety and order in Lusaka, while allowing traders to continue operating from legally designated spaces.
-Nkanionline 2026 #NewsOnDemand