SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes
@SunZambian
THE continued sale of meat products in open places and on the streets has irked Lusaka City Council (LCC).
LCC acting director for public health Edgar Mulwanda said in an interview with the Sun that the local authority was disappointed that some people had continued with the illegal business despite its efforts to curb it.
Mr Mulwanda said it was unhygienic to sell ready-to-eat food in open spaces and on the streets.
He said the practice posed danger to members of the public, especially consumers.
“Such businesses are not allowed. The council police have always been on the ground prosecuting and confiscating the products from the people that are fond of selling in prohibited areas.
“But we are having a challenge in cases where people run away when they see our officers and return to their selling points when they are gone to continue with their business,” Mr Mulwanda said.
He said that the council was, however, working with cooperating partners to sensitise both the traders and the consumers so that they could be aware of the dangers.
Mr Mulwanda said it was a big challenge that needed a lot of people participating in the sensitisation and curbing the illegal trade.
He warned the consumers to desist from buying such products because they were contaminated.
Mr Mulwanda said members of the public could help end the illegal business by refusing to buy from such traders.
If consumers started shunning the food stuffs the traders would be forced to shut down their illicit businesses.
“Help us discourage this trend and save people’s lives by desisting from buying such foodstuffs. Say ‘no’ to contaminated food and together we will fight diseases such as cholera. Traders, you should also learn when your friends are being prosecuted, don’t wait until it happens to you,” he said.
The Lusaka City Council has been waging a sustained campaign to rid streets and open spaces of illegal food traders, but despite prosecuting those apprehended the business has not stopped.
