Hundreds of vendors at Waka Waka Market in Lilongwe woke up to scenes of destruction on Friday morning after the Lilongwe City Council moved in during the early hours to demolish the popular trading centre.
The demolition followed the expiry of a vacation notice issued about a month ago, with authorities insisting the market was operating illegally on private land and partly within a road reserve earmarked for the expansion of the M1 Road from Old Town to Bunda Roundabout.
This comes months after the Lilongwe City Council ordered the closure of the Market, effective midnight on March 31, 2026. In a public notice issued at the time, the council stated that the market’s business licenses had expired and would not be renewed.
The council cited Clause 11(1) of the Second Schedule to the Local Government Act, which mandates local authorities to establish markets, as well as sub-clause (2), which prohibits individuals from operating private markets without a licence granted by the council.
Authorities also referred to By-law 5 of the Markets and Vending By-laws of 2018, which bars the operation of private markets without prior authorisation from the council.
According to the council, the decision not to renew the licence was also influenced by congestion around the market area, which posed accident risks to motorists and pedestrians.
Other concerns included poor hygiene and sanitation despite repeated warnings, as well as failure to comply with planning regulations, which authorities said resulted in haphazard developments around the market.
Authorities also reportedly raised concerns that the council was not benefiting from market fees, which vendors were allegedly paying directly to the market owner.
Following the closure notice, vendors approached the High Court seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop the council from closing or relocating traders until the matter was fully heard.
Ronnie Kamkuzi Maseko and Mulore Mangolomera filed the application on behalf of the vendors.
Despite the legal challenge, the council proceeded with the demolition on Friday morning.
LCC has since directed affected vendors to relocate to Area 24 Market and the New Bypass Road Market, warning that failure to comply could lead to further enforcement action.
Meanwhile, motorists using the M1 road near the market area have been advised to remain cautious amid fears that angry vendors could stage protests following the demolition.
