Police in Lusaka this afternoon blocked street vendors near Kamwala trading area from going to State
House where they wanted to be addressed by President Edgar Lungu.
Sources talked to have disclosed that the traders wanted to
go to statehouse and complain to President Lungu about high levels of poverty
after they were removed from the streets amid fears of the spread of the
cholera epidemic.
They have told Alf news blog that government should come up with
long-term measures to ensure that all traders have decent trading places.
Some have however disclosed that the protest was politically
motivated, adding that the protesters were chanting UPND slogans and raising
party symbols as they matched.
They have stated that there was no need for vendors to
protest because government had instructed displaced traders to use city market
as an alternative trading place for now.
They have stated that it is primitive for politicians to
incite any form of violence and take advantage of the cholera situation to gain
political mileage.
A news crew which rushed to the scene found vigil police
offers manning Kamwala trading area
Meanwhile police spokesperson Ester Katongo has indicated
that no arrests have been made so far.
Ms. Katongo says the protesters where around 8hrs addressed
by the local authorities and dispersed, but latter regrouped around 12hrs en-route
to cabinet offices.
She says it is at this point that police used tear smoke to
disperse the protesters.
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