Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Phiri, has warned that Blantyre City can face an outbreak of Cholera if possible hygiene measures are not put in place.

The Minister made the remarks after inspecting Kachere and Limbe markets on Wednesday.

Phiri said: “We are sitting on a time bomb and this mess has to be cleaned urgently.”

He further called upon collaborated effort between the city council and vendors with the aim of promoting hygiene in the markets.

Meanwhile, the minister has issued a 14 and 7 days ultimatums to the council and the vendors respectively, for them to send a comprehensive report on how best they will address the situation.

Responding to the matter chairperson for the vendors in Limbe Market, Donald Mpaso, said the minister’s visit is a wake-up call and they will liaise with city authorities and fellow vendors to observe hygiene and ply their trade in acceptable spaces.

“We are open to talk with the authorities so that we address the problems and prevent any outbreak of Cholera in the city,” said Mpaso.

Government has since hinted on the construction of markets that will accommodate separately those who sell food stuffs and those selling clothes.