Police in Zambia fired tear gas on some 2 000 stone throwing street vendors Wednesday who began rioting after the police tried to shut down their businesses.
Several cars were also stoned and one was set on fire, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on injuries.
The police were not available for immediate comment, but vendors said the unrest began when policemen began confiscating their wares and tried to force them off the street corners where they peddle.
Lusaka’s city council has launched a campaign to clear the streets of vendors who do not have permits. Vendors have resisted the move.
Last week the council asked the police to begin forcibly removing the vendors.
The vendors say that they cannot find jobs and have no other option but to sell their products from the roadside.
Vendors in this poor southern African country sell a range of products, from vegetables, to sunglasses and shoes. – Sapa-AP