Four traders out of the 22 that were arrested by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) for turning shops into homes at Kamwala South market have been fined, while the rest were warned and cautioned. LCC assistant public relations manager Brenda Katongola said in an interview on Thursday that the quartet was fined K450 each after admitting to committing the offence.

“After interrogations, we managed to fine four people out of the 22. Others were warned and cautioned for going against the health regulations. Apart from that, we also closed their shops until further notice,” Ms Katongola said. She warned of stern action to would-be offenders.
“What we have done to them should serve as a warning to others. Next time, they will not walk out so easily. What they are doing is hazardous to them [shop owners] and also to consumers,” she said.

She also confirmed that Kamwala South market has been closed indefinitely until management meets the required health standards.
Ms Katongola said the council will continue inspecting markets to ensure that traders conduct their businesses in a favourable environment.
“As per tradition, we will continue inspecting all markets to ensure that people comply with the health standards. Failure to do that will leave us with no option but to close all those [markets] failing to meet the required standards,” she said.

Ms Katongola also urged residents to maintain cleanliness to avoid the spread of cholera. “The LCC health team is doing everything possible to bring sanity especially in the markets and other trading areas…but people should not wait for us to pounce on them or take action. “There is need for everyone to maintain cleanliness. Let’s keep our areas clean and avoid the spread of non-communicable diseases such as cholera,” she said.
Last week, LCC arrested Kamwala market traders for turning shops into homes.

Some traders also turned the shops into tuition centres, conducting lessons from grades one to six.