Katete traders evicted

— Katete traders have been advised to stop operating under a ZESCO transformer situated at the main market.

ZESCO has also warned the traders to move away from the power lines.

 Speaking this morning when a group of traders complained at the district commissioner’s office about councils move to evict them from their trading premises, Katete District council secretary Wamulume Aongola said the council will not allow lawlessness .

Mr Aongola said the Council will instead do everything possible to preserve life and maintain law and order.

Mr. Aongola explained to the traders in full view of the District Commissioner that ZESCO had written to his office asking the council to evict traders who were trading under a transformer and power lines near Kwa Zulu shop.

He said acting upon that request his officers the council police swung into action this morning to confiscate goods for traders that were found illegally doing business under the said areas.

He further explained that the council has held meetings with the marketers on several occasions sensitizing them on the danger that comes with such conduct.

He however indicated that the market has enough space to accommodate traders.

But the traders who were led by a Mrs. Edina Tembo refused the councils offer to trade inside the market stating that business returns in the market were not good.

They indicated that the council’s action to confiscate their goods was detrimental to their business as they had loans to pay back.

The traders later agreed to vacate the area but asked the council to give them back their good so that they could trade elsewhere.

And Katete District Commissioner Colonel Peter Kunda Kaisa says government was away of the many challenges people are facing that have pushed them to trade  on the streets.

He however stressed the effects that can come with resistance to vacate such unsafe trading areas adding that the concern by ZESCO was genuine as lives may be lost if traders continued doing business in a dangerous zone.