By 
Thirty-six traders have taken the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to court, seeking declarations that they are the beneficial owners of stands and shops at the soon-to-be-completed Munyaule City Market.
In a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, Peter Ngulube, suing in his personal capacity and as chairperson of the Munyaule Market Committee, together with 35 other traders, is challenging the council’s directive requiring them to vacate their temporary trading spaces by January 1, 2026.
The traders are seeking an injunction restraining the council and its agents from carrying out the evictions.
They also want the court to declare them lawful allottees and beneficial owners of the spaces in dispute, and to award them damages for trespass.
Read more: Over 1,200 suspects arrested for criminal offenses in Kitwe during festive season – Police
According to the claim, the plaintiffs were lawfully allocated stands and shops at Munyaule City Market — formerly called Mama Market — situated in the Town Centre area of Lusaka.
The traders stated that on November 18, 2013, they were allocated stands and shops in the new market by the council through its authorised agent and contractor, Kaddoura Construction Limited.
They said the allocation included an agreement that they would not be evicted or relocated from their temporary stands until the market construction was completed.
“Further, the agent issued tentative offer letters to the plaintiffs,” they stated, adding that this reinforced their belief that they were entitled to continue trading at the site until completion.
However, the traders said they were shocked when LCC announced that all traders must vacate their temporary stands by January 1, 2026, without providing alternative trading spaces.
They argued that the council’s directive was contrary to the agreements previously reached by all stakeholders, including the Minister of Local Government and Urban Affairs.
The traders contended that the council’s actions amounted to unlawful interference with their rights as lawful allottees, trespass, deprivation of use, and arbitrary abuse of authority.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments