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Association orders vendors not to pay fees

Rumphi Residents Association has ordered vendors in all markets in the district to stop paying market fees, saying the council has failed to rectify problems in the markets.

Confirming the development in an interview, the association’s executive director Moir Walita Mkandawire said there is poor security at the market due to shortage of guards, lack of lights and a poor drainage system.

He said the council has been promising to rectify the problems but nothing has been done.

Part of Rumphi Market

“Therefore, we have ordered vendors in all markets in the district to stop paying revenue until the council solves the problems,” he said.

Mkandawire also accused the council of being biased in the selection of suppliers of goods.

“They buy expensive items from suppliers in town for council projects yet the very items are locally found at cheap prizes,” he said, citing cement and timber.

Rumphi District Council chairperson Mazire Chibambo, who is also councillor for Henga Phoka Ward, said the secretariat is looking into the issues; hence, it is too early to boycott paying revenue.

“We are handling the complaints in our office to see how best we can help. Stopping vendors from paying revenue will just cause unnecessary pressure to the council,” he said.

On his part, Rumphi Bussiness Community chairperson Allam Beza said his committee has been meeting the council officials to address the problems, but no progress has been made.

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