Blantyre City Council Mayor Joseph Makwinja has pledged to end illegal vending in the city as it is contributing to accidents.
Accompanied by his deputy Isaac Jomo Osman, they visited hotspot areas on Wednesday to address the issue.
The tour started with a visit to a market close to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Blantyre Market.
At Blantyre Market, Makwinja warned vendors, minibus, and motorbike taxi (kabaza) operators to conduct their businesses in designated areas.
However, the visit to Limbe was marred by chaos, as some people believed to be vendors, kabaza and minibus operators blocked the mayor’s entourage, accusing him of playing politics.
But in an interview, Makwinja said people misunderstood the purpose of his visit.
“People thought we wanted to grab their goods. But that was not the purpose. We wanted to advise them to do business in designated areas,” he said.
Makwinja said the council will look into grievances that the vendors raised.
South West Region Police Commissioner Mlowoka Noel Kayira assured that the law enforcers were ready to enforce by-laws in the city.
“We enforce policies, directives and by-laws. We ask the council to work in collaboration with the police to enforce policies in Limbe.
“We fail to implement policies in Limbe as opposed to Blantyre, which is always organised.”
The mayor planned to visit 18 hotspot areas but the tour was cut short due to the fracas in Limbe
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