Mzuzu demons moved to next week
Concerned vendors and consumers from Mzuzu City have shifted to next week, demonstrations aimed at raising their concerns over the rising cost of living, which were scheduled for Tuesday this week.
The postponement comes following President Lazarus Chakwera’s intention to meet some of the vendors on Tuesday.
Announcing the postponement at a press briefing held outside the main market, Gomezgani Nkhoma, a Consumer Rights Advocate who led the presser said they are willing to give the president the benefit of doubt, acknowledging his ability to articulate his vision, while also emphasizing the need for tangible actions.
“We have been informed that the president intends to meet the vendors. So, we would love to give him the benefit of the doubt to see what message he has for the vendors. If the message is not satisfactory or it does not tally with the expectations of Malawians, then we will proceed with our demonstrations next week on Tuesday,” Nkhoma said.
He added, “We have given room to dialogue considering that the best decisions or solutions are made when there is dialogue. So, the president wants to meet the vendors and we want to allow him to explain his part on our demands.”
“We want the president to explain why this country is failing to move forward, why vendors are failing to grow their businesses, why are children dying in hospitals because of drug shortages, why people are dying of hunger because they cannot access maize in ADMARC markets, we want the president to tell us why our children are still learning under trees, and why young people are failing to access loans through NEEF,” Nkhoma said.
Nkhoma then dismissed claims that they have postponed the demonstrations because organizers have been given money to do so.
He said, “Had it been that we had been given money, we could have been holding this briefing at Grand Palace Hotel. No one has received money and we cannot allow it to be bought. We will be on the road next week to voice our concerns.”
On his part, Mzuzu Vendors Association Secretary Scriven Dzonzi said they decided to postpone the demonstration with the hope that they might get answers on some of their demands through the president’s meeting with the vendors.
“We thought that since they have agreed to meet, maybe they might discuss some of our demands. Our demands have already been submitted and I am sure they will be presented to the president and possibly get some answers,” Dzonzi said.
Among others, the concerned vendors and consumers are demanding the revocation of retail business licenses from wholesalers, especially foreign traders to promote indigenous retail businesses in areas such as poultry, clothing, and groceries, and implement a 40 percent price reduction on essential commodities to realign value for money and improve the livelihood of the people.
Additionally, they are calling for the reduction of traffic checkpoints to one on every route connected to town to maximize productivity, reduce congestion, and promote business convenience.
Furthermore, they want a tax reduction by 10 percent on goods ordered at less than MK5 million to spur vendors’ businesses, promote, employment, and reduce the burden of excessive taxation, and a tax reduction by 10 percent on spare parts for motorcycles, bicycles, and vehicles to make transportation more affordable, reduce maintenance costs, and promote socioeconomic development.
Recently, similar demonstrations were held in Lilongwe and Blantyre.
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