By FLAVIOR CHISHALA –
FORTY-TWO street vendors in Lusaka have been cautioned and fined for selling foodstuff in open places, contrary to regulations following a ban by the Government.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) and other authorities enforced the ban issued by the Ministry of Health stopping street vendors from selling foodstuff in open areas, to combat increasing cases of cholera in Lusaka.
LCC public relations officer Brenda Katongola said K450 was collected from each vendor as punishment for not abiding by the directive.
Ms Katongola said in an interview yesterday that the council had been carrying out inspections around the city after some food samples tested positive for the cholera bacteria.
The LCC has intensified and extended inspections across the city in order to sensitise as many people as possible.
“We have warned, fined and cautioned 42 vendors that did not comply with health regulations, and we are still apprehending people that have continued to sell and they will appear before the courts of law,” Ms Katongola said.
She said that this was the only way to enhance the prevention of cholera, which has now spread to nearly all the parts of Lusaka Province.
Ms Katongola said health promotions, including continued sensitisation of communities and contact tracing, were still ongoing and the response from the community was encouraging.
She appealed to Lusaka residents to adhere to council requirements to avoid being found wanting.