Munyaule Market Traders Drag Lusaka City Council to Court Over Evictions
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has been taken to court by over 30 traders from Munyaule Market in Lusaka’s Central Business District, following its decision to evict them from their temporary trading stands. The traders argue that the eviction is unlawful and violates agreements previously reached with the council and other stakeholders.
Munyaule Market Committee chairperson Peter Ngulube, together with 35 other traders, has applied for an injunction to restrain the council, its agents, and contractors from proceeding with the evictions. The traders are also seeking a declaration that they are the lawful beneficial owners of the stands and shops from which they face eviction, as well as damages for trespass.
In their submissions, the plaintiffs state that they are Zambian citizens and lawful allottees of stands and shops at Munyaule City Market. They submit that on or about November 18, 2013, they were officially allocated the stands by the Lusaka City Council through its authorised agent and contractor, Kaddoura Construction Limited, when the facility was still known as Mama Market.
According to court documents, the agreement at the time of allocation was that the traders would not be evicted or relocated from their temporary stands until the completion of the market. The traders further state that they were issued with tentative offer letters by the contractor.
However, the plaintiffs say they were shocked when the council announced that they should vacate their stands by January 1, 2026, without being provided with an alternative trading location. Mr Ngulube and his colleagues argue that the council’s directive contradicts agreements involving all stakeholders, including the Minister of Local Government.
They contend that the actions by the Lusaka City Council amount to unlawful interference with their rights as lawful allottees, constituting trespass, deprivation of use, and an arbitrary abuse of authority.
