Buseko market levy scam unearthed

NOEL IYOMBWA writes LUSAKA City council has distanced itself from unknown persons who are collecting fees from Buseko market squatters. LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said that the only levy that the council collects from the traders is fee when they bring grass from outside which they use to make brooms. He said that there is no way the local authority can charge the squatters because there sleeping at Busekoillegally. Mr. Sichimba explained that whoever is collecting any fees is breaking the law because the council is not aware of it. Some traders who are said to have originated from North Western province have been squatting outside Buseko market. Despite being given notice by the local authority, the traders who are specialized in making brooms have continued spending nights in temporary shelters. The traders believed to have originated from Western province of Zambia camp at Buseko for extended periods and sometimes even one year. They make brooms and later selling in residential areas sometimes in exchange with bottles. The traders consisting of families have been residing in makeshift tents, made up of grass thatching or plastics, in unhealthy conditions without running water and toilets. But recently a source at Buseko disclosed that some officials within the market have been collecting some money from the traders in order for them to continue squatting. The Sun