Pressure is mounting on the Lilongwe City Council as vendors and civil society groups intensify opposition to the planned relocation of Wakawaka Market to Bypass Market ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline.
A local advocacy group, Mbadwa Zokhuzidwa, has joined vendors in condemning the move, describing it as premature, unjustified, and potentially harmful to vulnerable traders.
Chairperson Billy Malata said the group intervened after assessing conditions at the proposed relocation site and finding it unsuitable for business.
“We visited the site and discovered that the structures are temporary, built using bamboo, old iron sheets, and basic benches,” Malata said.“There is no evidence that the council has constructed a modern market.”
Malata further alleged that Bypass Market may not be fully owned by the council but by private individuals, raising concerns about high rental costs and lack of security for vendors.
He also dismissed the council’s justification for relocation—including claims of accidents, poor hygiene, and insecurity at Wakawaka Market—as unsubstantiated.
“There are no known police records supporting those claims. These justifications are baseless,” he said.The relocation order affects more than 1,000 vendors, many of whom have operated at Wakawaka Market for over a decade.
Traders argue that the directive threatens their livelihoods and has been implemented without adequate consultation.
Market chairperson Mloleni Mangolomera described the relocation as financially unmanageable, citing the high cost of transporting goods within a short timeframe.Individual traders have echoed similar concerns.
Yasinta John, who has been operating at the market for 12 years, warned that relocating could destabilize her income, while William Banda said the shift to privately owned stalls would push many vendors into deeper poverty.
“It means we will have to start paying rent to individuals instead of operating freely,” Banda said.
Another trader, Julius Tobias, raised concerns about the suitability of the new location, describing it as a dambo (wetland) with limited space and poor conditions for business.
Vendors have also questioned the transparency surrounding the ownership of Bypass Market, alleging links between private owners and council officials—claims that have fueled suspicion and mistrust.
Economically, traders argue that the move could also affect city revenues.
Wakawaka Market is reportedly a significant contributor to council income, generating approximately MK445 million annually.
Meanwhile, calls for intervention have reached national level, with Mangolomera appealing to President Peter Mutharika to step in, accusing city authorities of failing to engage vendors meaningfully.
Billy Malata leader for Mbadwa Zokhuzidwa expressed hope that presidential intervention could help restore public confidence, warning that the current approach risks damaging trust in public institutions.
As tensions rise, Mbadwa Zokhuzidwa has threatened legal action if the relocation proceeds without proper dialogue, while vendors have declared their intention to remain at Wakawaka Market beyond the deadline.
Analysts warn that the standoff could escalate into broader unrest if not addressed, with the possibility of protests drawing in civil society actors and other groups in solidarity with the traders.
With the deadline fast approaching, the situation remains volatile, and attention is now turning to whether authorities will reconsider the decision or push ahead—risking confrontation in the capital.
