Zigwagwa Market Shade Collapses

BY DRAXON MALOYA

Barely a fortnight since president Lazarus Chakwera visited Mzuzu City Markets, the shade housing Zigwagwa (Matabwa/timber) market has collapsed on Friday evening destroying assorted food items on sale.

According to the Mzuzu City Vendors chairperson, Gerald Maulana, efforts are being made to assess the extent of the damage and find ways to support the affected fourty (40) women to rebuild their businesses.

The market leadership has attributed the incident to poor construction of the shades and has called on the relevant authorities to intervene and provide a lasting solution to prevent future occurrences.

Some of the affected women have expressed their anguish over the losses incurred, as their livelihoods depend on the goods they sell at the market calling for timely compensation to help them recover from the setback.

During President Chakwera’s visit to the market he was requested to fulfill his promise of improving infrastructure in markets across the country to prevent such incidents from happening.

The market leadership has also requested for support from well-wishers and stakeholders to assist the affected women during this difficult time stating that the incident has served as a reminder of the need for proper infrastructure maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of market vendors and their livelihoods

Meanwhile, official from Mzuzu City Council and the police who are not picking calls for possible comments on the catastrophic situation are yet to visit Zigwagwa market to appreciate the extent of damage caused by the falling pillars resulting from continued rains falling in the city..