MBABANE: Senator Mancoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade says Government will assist the over four hundred(400) vendors who were affected by fire in Manzini last week.
Fire erupted at ‘Bend and Pick’ and a suspect who was earlier involved in an conflict with the landlord has been arrested.
Vendors lost their stock after a man allegedly burnt the ‘Bend and Pick’ storage facility in Manzini adjacent to the Manzini Bus Rank.
“The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade will explore all possible avenues to assist businesses trading in the ‘Bend and Pick’ sector at the Manzini bus rank whose stock was completely burnt in the storage facility adjacent to the bus rank,” said the Minister in a public statement released on Monday.
Reached for comments, Mathokoza Sikhondze, the Coordinator of the Informal Traders described the sentiments of the Minister as a mere political statement.
“Government is doing literally nothing to assist informal traders.With this statement, the Minister wants to appear as if Government is taking care of the people,” said the Informal Traders Coordinator.
Commerce Minister has promised to assist businesses affected by Manzini fire.