By Joanna Ndabala, Mazabuka
Will residents of Mazabuka see the completion of their new market shelter before the onset of the rains?
That’s a question on the minds of the people of this vibrant town that is home to the nation’s industrial sugar conglomerate, Zambia Sugar.
Barely weeks left before the onset of the wet season, marketeers at Nakambala market feel time has run out for the market shelter project, which began last November, and was originally scheduled for completion this November.
With the clock ticking fast, the marketeers’ discontent is not only limited to the slow pace of the market’s construction, but also to what they feel are unfulfilled development promises from their elected leaders.
Vendors at the market voiced loud frustrations over what they say is a lack of progress in improving market conditions, with heavy congestion and compromised hygiene.
MazFm and MakanDay reporters found congestion in the market exacerbated inadequate ablution facilities, with vendors not only struggling to make ends meet, but also risking their health.
Many are frustrated with the bad sanitary conditions, insufficient toilets and the market’s unhygienic conditions, posing serious health risks to both vendors and customers.
Vendors are worried that this could spark a cholera outbreak, including other diseases, especially during the rainy season just a few weeks away.
“If Cholera was to break out right now, we would be the first ones to be affected.
“We also wonder what will happen when the rain season comes because if heavy rains with wind come today, you will just hear that people have died due to the danger we are exposed to,’’ said a marketeer.
The outcry comes in the wake of revelations last week by Elijah Muchima, the Health Minister, that 174 cholera cases and two deaths had been recorded as at 17th September.
The Minister told reporters at a media briefing that 156 cholera patients had been discharged, with 16 remaining under admission in treatment centres across the country in Mpulungu, Nsama and Mbala districts.
“This temporary shelter is not even safe, every time the wind blows the shelter even shakes. We just decided to put something to hold the shelter in place to support it.” a vendor disclosed.
Additionally, lack of space forces vendors to trade outside the temporary shelter, exposing them to direct sun.
They say they get burnt in the sun and sometimes their merchandise gets spoilt.
Mazabuka municipal council’s facebook page of the 21st November 2024 says the council had a successful ground-breaking ceremony of the rehabilitation and upgrading of Nakambala market shelter at a cost of K8.7 million.
Royal Kent were awarded the contract for the market’s rehabilitation and upgrading.
The vendors allege that the contractor stopped working “a long time ago,” and that “they go to the incomplete shelter once in a while just to show people that something is happening, when nothing is actually happening.”
MazFm and MakanDay reporters visiting the market found there was no contractor at the shelter construction site.
Royal Kent, the contractors, were not immediately available for comment by press time.
Additional efforts to get the area member of parliament Gary Nkombo’s comment proved equally futile by press time.
However, following these efforts by the journalists, fresh pictures appeared the next day on the town council’s facebook page.
The pictures appeared to show workers busy at work at the market.
In an exclusive interview, Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba promised to visit the market to assess the situation and meet with traders.
He cited the importance of local councillors taking keen interest in addressing community concerns, as they are elected to serve the people.
“Our leaders promised to bring development to the District and improve conditions at Nakambala Market, but to this day nothing has been done,” claimed a vendor.
Another said, “we are tired of empty promises, as marketeers, we will not be swayed by their kneeling and begging during the 2026 general elections.”
The vendors’ sentiments reflect a broader sense of disillusionment among residents, who feel despite repeated promises, tangible improvements in infrastructure and economic opportunities seem elusive.
However, despite the frustrations expressed by the marketeers, in other parts of Mazabuka town, roadworks could be seen with graders and workers busy with construction upgrades on several inner town roads.
With the year coming to a close and the 2026 general elections drawing closer, it is clear that residents are signalling that they will hold their leaders accountable.
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