By Jones Gadama

The Mzuzu vendors’ 14-day ultimatum to President Lazarus Chakwera has brought to the forefront the pressing issues affecting local traders in Malawi.

The vendors, led by their chairperson Alexander Sikwese, are demanding that the government take immediate action to address their grievances, which range from the revocation of licenses for foreign traders to relief on loan repayments.

Revocation of licenses: Protecting local businesses

One of the key demands made by the vendors is the revocation of licenses for Chinese and Indian traders who are selling goods on retail.

The vendors claim that these foreign traders are stifling their businesses and undermining the local economy. This demand is justified, as the influx of foreign traders has led to unfair competition, with local vendors struggling to compete with the cheaper prices and wider range of goods offered by their foreign counterparts.

The government has a responsibility to protect local businesses and ensure that they are given a fair chance to thrive.

By revoking the licenses of foreign traders who are selling goods on retail, the government can help to level the playing field and give local vendors a better chance of success.

Protection of local businesses: Preventing foreign domination

The vendors are also urging the government to protect local businesses and prevent foreign traders from taking over business opportunities meant for local vendors. This demand is also justified, as the domination of foreign traders in the local market has led to a loss of business opportunities for local vendors.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that local businesses are protected and given priority.

By implementing policies that favor local businesses, the government can help to prevent foreign domination and ensure that local vendors are given a fair chance to participate in the economy.

Relief on loan repayments: Easing the burden on local vendors

The vendors are also seeking relief from the government on loan repayments, asking for a few months’ grace period before repayment of national loans. This demand is justified, as many local vendors are struggling to repay their loans due to economic hardships.

The government has a responsibility to ease the burden on local vendors and provide them with the support they need to succeed. By providing relief on loan repayments, the government can help to alleviate the financial pressure on local vendors and give them a better chance of repaying their loans.

Conclusion

The Mzuzu vendors’ demands are justified and require immediate attention from the government. The revocation of licenses for foreign traders, protection of local businesses, and relief on loan repayments are all critical issues that need to be addressed in order to support the growth and development of local businesses.

As the 14-day ultimatum ticks away, the government must take immediate action to address the concerns of the Mzuzu vendors. Failure to do so will only lead to further protests and demonstrations, which could have negative consequences for the economy.

The government must take the demands of the Mzuzu vendors seriously and work towards finding solutions that will support the growth and development of local businesses. Only by working together can we create a thriving economy that benefits all Malawians.

Other demands by vendors

In addition to the demands mentioned above, vendors in Mzuzu are also calling for:

• Implementation of a 40 percent price reduction on essential commodities to realign value for money and improve the livelihood of the people.
• Reduction of traffic checkpoints to one on every route connected to town to maximize productivity, reduce congestion, and promote business convenience.
• Tax reduction by 10 percent on goods ordered at less than MK5 million to spur vendors’ businesses, promote employment, and reduce the burden of excessive taxation.
• Tax reduction by 10 percent on spare parts for motorcycles, bicycles, and vehicles to make transportation more affordable, reduce maintenance costs, and promote socioeconomic development.

These demands are all aimed at creating a more conducive business environment for local vendors and promoting economic growth and development.

Mzuzu Vendors Give President Chakwera 14-day ultimatum to address grievances

By Jones Gadama

Vendors in Mzuzu have issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Lazarus Chakwera to address the concerns they raised during their meeting at Mzuzu State Lodge on March 4, 2025.

The vendors, led by their chairperson Alexander Sikwese, are demanding that the government take immediate action to resolve their grievances.

During a press briefing, Sikwese expressed disappointment that the issues they discussed with President Chakwera have not been implemented.

“We are giving the government 14 days to respond to our demands,” Sikwese said, warning that, “If our issues remain unresolved by April 22, we will hold a series of demonstrations to push for action.”

Among the key demands made by the vendors is the revocation of licenses for Chinese and Indian traders who are selling goods on retail.

The vendors claim that these foreign traders are stifling their businesses and undermining the local economy.

Sikwese also emphasized that Burundians should not be allowed to trade in Mzuzu, citing concerns that they are taking over business opportunities meant for local vendors.

“We urge the government to take immediate action to address these concerns and protect the interests of local vendors,” Sikwese said.

In addition to these demands, the vendors are also seeking relief from the government on loan repayments. They are asking for a few months’ grace period before repayment of national loans, citing economic hardships and difficulties in repaying the loans.

President Chakwera’s visit to Mzuzu on March 4, 2025, was seen as an opportunity for the vendors to raise their concerns and engage with the government. However, the vendors’ patience seems to be wearing thin, and they are now taking a more assertive stance to push for action.

As the 14-day ultimatum ticks away, all eyes will be on the government to see how they respond to the vendors’ demands.

Will President Chakwera and his administration take immediate action to address the concerns of the Mzuzu vendors, or will the situation escalate into protests and demonstrations? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, the Mzuzu vendors remain resolute in their demands, determined to fight for their rights and protect their livelihoods.

As Sikwese emphasized, “We will not back down until our concerns are addressed. We urge the government to take us seriously and take immediate action to resolve our grievances,” He stated.

Background

The Mzuzu vendors’ concerns are not new, and they have been raising these issues for some time now.

The visit by President Chakwera to Mzuzu on March 4, 2025, was seen as an opportunity for the vendors to raise their concerns and engage with the government.

Key Demands

• Revocation of licenses: The vendors are demanding that the government revoke the licenses of Chinese and Indian traders who are selling goods on retail.
• Protection of local businesses: The vendors are urging the government to protect local businesses and prevent foreign traders from taking over business opportunities meant for local vendors.
• Relief on loan repayments: The vendors are seeking relief from the government on loan repayments, asking for a few months’ grace period before repayment of national loans.

Reaction

The Mzuzu vendors’ ultimatum has been met with mixed reactions from the public.

While some have expressed support for the vendors’ demands, others have criticized their approach, urging them to engage in dialogue with the government rather than resorting to protests and demonstrations.