Chief Liteta of the Lenje speaking people of Chibombo district has expressed concern over the safety of traders who sell fruits and other merchandise at night on the sides of the Great North Road.
Chief Liteta has observed that many of the traders have left their homes and are now spending nights in the makeshift structures near the road so that they are able to sell their merchandise to the travellers throughout the night.
The chief told ZANIS that the trend has continued to put the lives of these traders at risk of being attacked at night by thieves who may think they have money on them from the sales of their merchandise.
The traditional leader has also observed that the structures the traders put up on the roadside are grass-thatched and, therefore, can easily catch fire.
He has since appealed to the traders to be security conscious and to stop spending nights in the makeshift structures on the roadsides.
Chief Liteta said in as much as people would like to generate more income by continuing to sell their merchandise to the travellers even throughout the night, their safety is equally important.
The chief further advised his subjects to ensure that they close their businesses early enough before it is dark so that they are able to reach their homes when it is still safe.
And in a separate interview, Patriotic Front Chibombo District Youth Chairperson Robby Malindima said traders on the roadsides further risk being hit by vehicles which may career off the road.
Mr Malindima, who is also Chibombo Central Ward Councillor, has since appealed to the traders to heed to the calls from the district council and other stakeholders that they should be selling their merchandise from designated places.
He said once all traders relocate to designated trading places, travellers will also be left without any other option but to drive to the markets to buy the products.
On Tuesday, a female trader was found dead in the bush near her roadside makeshift structure near Kasukwe market.
The trader had been spending nights in the structure erected behind her stands near the road.
Mwaamba twanyufwa bamaami. Banakashi bapenga kuyadola maali mu mfulumende ya PF. Twalumba.
I agree with PF very rarely and this is one f those moments. I totally agree with the District Youth Chairman Malindima that the biggest danger that face he tomato and water melon sellers along Great North Road in Chibombo is that posed by the cruising buses, trucks and other vehicles that use that road.
Perhaps to mitigate this, speed bumps should begin about 5 kilometers from both sides.
This is what happens when chiefs lose mind and take the PF way. Who says vehicles only career off the roads at night? If there is improved travelling hungry public, is it not the best time to sell? …. What is just WRONG for people to spend at night and sell at night anyway?
Do a research & you will critically conclude that survival under PF regime ni nkondo!The poorest of the poor not precluding the third class are in survival crisis! Everyone is hiving everywhere you go-its really so hard to live in Zambia now.If civil servants are really struggling everyday-what more of a marketeer.This scenario my fellow Zambians is vivid everywhere!Its not in Chibombo District.These are the unpresedented developement under PF regime TIYE NAYO PF regime that’s what we voted for!