Blantyre, March 26: The Consumer Association of Malawi has backed Blantyre City Council-BCC’s decision to start punishing consumers buying from street vendors.
BCC Public Relations Manager Anthony Kasunda recently announced that the council will start punishing consumers found buying from street vendors.
And in an interview on Thursday, CAMA boss, John Kapito said consumers needed to act as responsible citizens by buying from designated market places.
“Much as we appreciate that consumers have rights but they have to know their responsibility when it comes to buying merchandize for them to be seen to be complementing the council’s efforts in ending Illegal street vending,” emphasized Kapito.
Kapito said it was unfortunate that some consumers were falling to reason responsibly.
“Those vendors always return after being chased because the consumers always support them through buying their assorted goods, had it been that they resist, the vendors would not be seen around.”
“And surprisingly, it is the same consumers who always complain about theft by these street vendors. I must commend the council for the move,” stressed Kapito.
He then pledged to work hand in hand with the council to ensure that Blantyre remains clean and decent.
However, some consumers have raised concerns over the development, arguing the council should first deal with the vendors before punishing consumers.
One of the consumers who resides in Chirimba, Alice Chigubu blamed the council for failing to provide vendors with spacious place to ply their trade.
“I feel it is not the fault of consumers rather vendors because it is their presence in the streets that makes us buy from them. As such, the city council should put their efforts in dealing with them because if they relocate to the main market we will be following them there,” argued Chigubu.
Sharing similar sentiments, Donald Machaka from Nancholi said he found street vendors handy as compared to going deep into the designated Blantyre Flea market.
“I normally knock off at 6:00pm and I cannot take that risk of entering the main market because you find street kids lingering around wanting to take any chance of stealing and assaulting people. So if the city council would like to end illegal street vending they should electrify the whole market as well as well as enforce security to make it a safe place,” Machaka told Mana.
BCC intends to review bylaws which will make illegal vending a serious offence with stiffer penalties, according to publicist Anthony Kasunda.
