THE Government has appealed to politicians not to make political capital of the newly constructed Soweto Market in Lusaka following delays to open the facility.

Deputy Local Government and Housing Minister, Moses Muteteka said the delays to open the market was not meant to punish the traders.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Muteteka said the Government was aware that some politicians were trying to win political support using the market.

He maintained the newly constructed market was for the benefit of Zambians regardless of their political affiliation and refuted reports from some politicians that only traders from the MMD were being allocated stalls.

He said politics should be left out of the market adding that the Government was committed to seeing to it that the traders conduct their business in a conducive environment.

"As a Government, we are aware that some politicians are trying to use the delays in opening of the market to gain political support but we shall not be diverted because we have a programme where we want to take the country," he said.

Mr Muteteka said an impression has been created that the stalls in the market would only be allocated to MMD members and urged those misleading the traders to find ways of winning their support instead of trading on lies.

He said the construction of the market is a clear indication and commitment of the Government that business is conducted in a clean and peaceful environment.

The deputy minister assured the traders that the market would soon be opened and called for calm as it has almost finalised the matter.