A fresh round of statements on Monday has intensified the ongoing dispute over foreign traders at Mgona Market, with local leaders, youth representatives and traders insisting the business operators should remain, citing large-scale job creation and community benefits.
Speaking during a public engagement held at Mgona Pa ma kontena area, youth representative Chisomo Siyabu said the presence of foreign traders had become critical to local livelihoods, claiming they had created thousands of jobs and helped reduce crime in the area.
“These people have employed over 5,000 people,” said Siyabu. “That cannot happen in our watch to chase them because of three people. They must remain here because that is where we are getting help as a community.”
Siyabu added that previous attempts to remove the traders had left many young people unemployed and contributed to rising theft, arguing that stability had returned since their reinstatement.
Women’s representative Effie Maloya also backed the continued operations of the traders, saying many women had gained employment and improved their household incomes through the market activities.
“Even women are happy now because they have found employment,” said Maloya. “This is helping homes because women are now doing development and taking care of their families.”
Chief Pumulani Mwamale, speaking on behalf of 10 who were present, traditional leaders, said chiefs in the area were opposed to efforts aimed at removing foreign business operators, accusing some actors of making decisions without consulting local leadership.
“We are against the idea of chasing foreign business people from the market,” said Mwamale. “They have been doing things without the knowledge of chiefs and the ward councillor. Chiefs will not support that.”
The meeting also featured remarks from Rabson Chikoya, chairperson of the Mgona Market Groundnuts Association, who rejected allegations of intimidation and said their position was to ensure peaceful coexistence while protecting business continuity.
The latest statements come amid an ongoing dispute linked to a High Court injunction obtained by the Mgona Agro Dealers Association, which had accused some traders of operating without proper documentation and engaging in unlawful practices.
The court order had earlier restrained certain activities at the market pending determination of the main case, further deepening divisions within Mgona Township over the role and regulation of foreign traders.
