Maravi

(TIMES) Marketeers sue Masebo

Marketeers sue Masebo
For contempt of court
By Times Reporter

LAWYERS representing more than 400 traders at Potters House in Livingstone have started contempt proceedings against Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo for giving them 24 hours to vacate the market. In a letter dated July 22 addressed to Ms Masebo, Mak Partners law firm told Ms Masebo that they had immediately started contempt of court proceedings against her for evicting the traders when they had filed an injunction against that action.

In the letter, which was copied to Livingstone town clerk and the police commanding officer, the lawyers said they had started contempt proceedings against Ms Masebo and whoever would carry out her order.

The lawyers asked Ms Masebo to show cause why she should not be sent to prison for contempt of court.

“We ask that the court orders be respected by all, including ministers, commanding officer, ignore this order because it is not backed by law,” the lawyers stated.

The traders had obtained an injunction in the Livingstone High Court restraining the Livingstone City Council from evicting them from Potters House, after it ordered that the traders leave the premises within 24 hours.

Ms Masebo on Tuesday said the traders should vacate the place because it was designated for the development of residential properties and not for the market.

The minister said that the site was not in line with the Livingstone development plan and the Government would not allow residents to go against city development plans.

Ms Masebo gave the Potters House marketeers in Livingstone a 24-hour ultimatum in which to relocate to a designated area.

The more than 400 marketeers were evicted from Maramba market to pave way for the building of more than 65 police houses.

They were given an alternative market place in the nearby Libuyu market, which they rejected and bought a piece of land at K55 million near Potters House where they set up a market.

Labels: MARKETEERS, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 12:30 AM