Lusaka mayoral aspirant Chitambala Mwewa has criticised Chilando Chitangala and her deputy Ketty Nanyangwe following a decision by the Lusaka City Council to rename Simon Mwewa Lane Market.
During a full council meeting held yesterday, the council resolved to rename the market to “HH Lumumba Market” with immediate effect.
The market is currently named after the late Dr Simon Mwewa, father of Chitambala Mwewa.
Reacting to the decision, Chitambala accused the mayor and her deputy of influencing councillors to support the name change, alleging that the move was politically motivated.
“The current mayor of Lusaka Chilando Chitangala and her deputy mayor Ketty Nanyangwe should be ashamed of themselves. They induced all the councillors to vote unanimously to remove Dr. Simon Mwewa’s name from the market because they view me as a political opponent,” he said.
Chitambala further described the two council leaders as “slay queens” who should not be running the council.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Nicholas Phiri announced that Local Government Minister Gift Sialubalo had revoked the council resolution with immediate effect using powers under Section 77(i)(b) of the Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019.
“I wish to inform the Nation that the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Honourable Gift Sialubalo, MP, in exercise of the powers vested in him under Section 77(i)(b) of the Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, has with immediate effect revoked the resolution of the Lusaka City Council’s Full Council Meeting convened today, 8th May, 2026, to rename the Simon Mwewa Lane Market,” Phiri stated.
The ministry also advised local authorities to ensure consultation and consensus when handling matters of public and historical significance.
However, Chitangala challenged the minister’s intervention, arguing that council resolutions are protected by law.
“A council resolution is backed by law. You just don’t revoke anyhow. We shall follow the law! Council is an autonomous body,” she wrote on her verified Facebook page.
Government has since maintained that the market will continue to be known as Simon Mwewa Lane Market.
Madam should be looking at how to clean this filthy city instead of changing names. Just gave some of us a reason to vote for Chitambala. Pray and hope Chitambala will surpass Micheal Sata.
Money on hh
Focusing on tuchawa instead of duty. We dont vote people into office for how well they are bootlicking the boss.
Iwe madam! Dobsa apo!!
HH Lumumba market!!! Why? What a horrible name! How about the “Free Market”?