MALAWI: Waste Piles Threaten Sanitation At Kasalasala Market

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi 

Rumphi District Council has failed to remove waste that has been accumulating at Kasalasala Market for the past three months.

One of the market’s business operators, Hussein Saidi, says the situation is encouraging poor sanitation and poses a serious risk of a cholera outbreak in the district.

Saidi emphasized that, as a market where people buy food items such as vegetables, fish, and fruits, it is essential for the area to be kept clean at all times.

The Council’s Chairperson, Councillor Happy Chirambo, explained that the problem stems from conflicts with communities in Chigwere Village, where the council’s dumping site is located.

According to Chirambo, the communities barred the council from using the site due to improper waste disposal practices. He added that for the past three months, the council has been in discussions with the communities and other stakeholders to resolve the issue.