Maputo — Maputo City Council has announced that it will ban the sale of meat, fish and shellfish on the city's pavement, and other inappropriate places.

The city councillor for health, Joao Schwalbach, announced the decision on Thursday, but did not say when it would take effect. He insisted that this sort of trade on the streets must be prohibited given the filthy surroundings, and the danger this poses to the health of consumers.

"The sale of meat, fish and other sea food along the Maputo pavements cannot be regarded as a business that can continue. It must be banned", declared Schwalbach. He stressed that, in order to make this ban a reality, the City Council is working with the Health Ministry, particularly with the Hygiene, Food and Medical Examinations Centre.

Schwalbach was speaking at the last session this year of the Maputo Municipal Assembly, and responding to concerns raised by members of the Assembly at the deplorable conditions under which perishable foodstuffs are sold in the streets.

Assembly members also complained at the inefficient garbage collection in the outer suburbs, despite the fact that anyone with electricity in their homes has a rubbish collection fee added to their monthly electricity bills.

Schwalbach admitted that serious work still needs to be done to ensure that that Maputo citizens really do benefit from the city council's cleaning services.

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