Asian property owners in Limbe town are evicting Malawian traders from shops to pave way for Chinese nationals who are reportedly paying more in rentals.
One victim of these evictions said that along with other six locals have been kicked out of the shops for no reason. But to their surprise their shops have been occupied by Chinese nationals.
According to sources the Chinese nationals are making counter offers and pay rentals for a number of years in dollars.
The victims said they took the issue to the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Tourism, Blantyre City Council, Immigration Department and Competition and Fair Trade Commission (CFTC) who promised to investigate but nothing has been done.
The victims questions government’s commitment to protect local entrepreneurs and why Chinese nationals are being allowed to go in small scale businesses like selling of secondhand clothes (Kaunjika) which Malawians do.
