TOILET WAR ERUPTS

ROGERS KALERO Writes@SunZambianQUICK action from State and Kitwe City Council (KCC) police officers stopped a near-punch up involving traders from the three market associations over the management of toilets at Chamboli marketAssociation of Vendors Traders and Marketeers of Zambia (AVTMZ), Association of Vendors and Marketeers (AVEMA) and National Traders and Marketeers Association of Zambia (NATMAZ) clashed over the management of the toilet which was constructed by the local authority.Kitwe Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said there was a clash involving the three associations, forcing State and Council Police officers to come in and con-trol the situationMr Seke however said no one was arrested because the officers were called in quickly to calm the situation after it was evident that a verbal clash could result into trading of blows.“Yes, I can confirm that there was a clash between AVTMZ, AVEMA and NATMAZ at Chamboli market over the management of the toilet at mar-ket which was constructed by the local authority“The clash could have deteriorated but State and Council Police had to come in and control the situation. It is surprising that the market associations could be fighting over the toilet which had been advertised for lease,” Mr Mbulo saidMr Mbulo said instead of fighting over the management of the toilet, the associations should bid to run the toilet as the council had already advertised.“The management of the toilet at Chamboli market was open for bids hence both individuals and associations were free to bid. Bidders may bid as in-dividual entities or as a consortium of entities,” he saidChamboli branch AVTMZ chairman, Danny Kafula, accused AVEMA and NATMAZof attempting to manage the toilet, side-lining his association.“NATMAZ and AVEMA want to be managing this council toilet denying AVTMZ from collecting money. This has caused this fight,” Mr Kafula said.But AVEMA President Able Chikwa said AVTMZ was formed by a clique of individuals who wanted to collect money from toilets and other sources without following regulations.Mr Chikwa said AVEMA would not allow AVTMZ to be collecting money from the Chamboli market toilet because they do not deserve it“Those boys want to make money from anywhere even in toilets, but we will not allow them. You don’t form association to extort money from your members and anything including toilets. No,” Mr Chikwa said