As a result, the council is now seeking a lasting solution by engaging directly with the vendors.

"Street vending remains a significant challenge. Some individuals just decide to start their businesses in unauthorized areas," Gondwe said. "We stopped focusing on relocation efforts because they weren’t working. We’ve noticed that some vendors are undeterred by our interventions or the law."

Mzuzu City offers three markets: Main Market, Zigwagwa Market, and Ndata Market (also known as the Flea Market). Although there is available space in these markets, some vendors continue to sell in unapproved areas. The council has repeatedly attempted to relocate vendors to Ndata Market, opened in 2014, but many resist, citing the market's distance and negative impact on their businesses.

Adam Ascot, a groceries vendor, explained that operating in central locations is more profitable. “At the current location, we sell a carton of Azam in one day. At Ndata Market, it would take 3-4 days to sell the same,” he said.

Similarly, Jane Soko, a potato vendor, suggested that expanding the main market would be a better solution than forcing vendors to relocate. "If they want us to move, everyone should move. We’d prefer the council expand the main market to accommodate us rather than pushing us into less favorable locations," Soko said, proposing the addition of a shade to shield vendors from the weather while allowing them to stay near the market.

Master Katete, the Vice Secretary of the central market, acknowledged that outside vendors negatively impact the businesses inside the market but emphasized the need for a balanced solution that accounts for the country's economic challenges. “The council must research why people still trade outside the market. We need to help those vendors because they are our colleagues. Some market traders even go outside when business slows inside,” Katete said.

Gondwe confirmed that the council is planning consultations with the vendors to find a collaborative and sustainable solution. "We recognize that forcing vendors out hasn’t worked, which is why we’re involving them in the planning process to figure out the best way forward together," Gondwe said.

The vendors operating outside Mzuzu's main market sell various goods, including groceries, charcoal, food items, and shoes.