By Simon Liseli
The Katima Mulilo town Mayor Lister Shamalaza has seriously responded to the recent forceful removal of street vendors, where a 48-year-old woman, a street vendor collapsed and died instantly during a crack-down operation held on August 15.
Katima Mayor Shamalaza defended his council that, Katima Council took a decision during its sixth ordinary meeting, resolved under resolution No: C59/05/08/2022.
He pointed out that in accordance to council by-law “contravention of streets and traffic regulation No: 273” in line with regulation 18 of Katima Mulilo Town Council (KMTC) read with Section 51 of Local Authority Act, Act 23 of 1992, as amended to remove all vendors operating in streets and on front of shops to occupy empty stands in the open market.
According to him, the decision was taken in order to control street vendors who were promoting criminal activities in the town of Katima Mulilo.
He lamented the fact that in many occasions, the council had received some complaints from the community pertaining to criminal activities, allegedly being committed by street vendors and items such as cell phones and money have been stolen from people especially women.
He said, people who are vending are not all Namibians, but the majority are foreigners from Zambia and Zimbabwe who have been trading illegally in the town of Katima Mulilo.
The removal of street vendors is also in line with the Katima Mulilo street and traffic resolution No: 274 of 2004 which prohibits street vending.
The council has also expressed its message of condolence, and regrets to the unfortunate incidence that occurred recently during the forceful removal of vendors in streets whereby a woman collapsed, now deceased.
“We wish and extend as the council our sincere heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased”.
Katima Mayor also appealed for calm and cooperation from all street vendors, and as they give time to the council to attend to their plea and not forgetting to remain to allocated places.
“We thank you for your unwavering support and serving our town, we remain committed to deliver effective and efficiency services by enhancing lives of our people” He said.
When asked how vendors will survive in places where they have been relocated too without water, shelter and ablution facilities.
“All necessary arrangements had been done on Thursday, by Hon. Councillors of local authority, they went to designated places where street vendors were allocated and they agreed with Mr. Pasela (Chinese business man) that those who were allocated opposite Kamunu will be using Pasela Mall toilets and those on front of Katima Sport Complex they resolved to have removable toilets for men and women” He further explained.
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