As noted by Lusa on the spot, the group of women went down Avenida de Portugal this Monday, making car traffic difficult and concentrated in Mutamba, the heart of the capital, where the provincial government of Luanda is also located.
Speaking to Lusa, one of the protesters said that the objective was to reach the Presidential Palace, to complain against the ban on sales in the area of São Paulo, which is home to the largest market in the city, but also where hundreds of street vendors are concentrated, occupying sidewalks and streets.
The group was dispersed some time later by the police, with some explosions heard.
In videos that circulate on the Internet, several women parade down Avenida de Portugal, some carrying bowls with their products to their heads and chant slogans such as "My business is with the police, but the zungueira doesn't get tired, she's always in the fight" .
At Mutamba, a saleswoman challenged: "Commander, take the message to João Lourenço [President of the Republic], the 'zunga' will not end, we are used to 'zungar', even João Lourenço himself, his mother was in the 'zunga '".
At issue is the announcement of the closure of warehouses in that commercial area of Luanda, the source of business supply for most street vendors in the area.
The provincial government of Luanda has a Commerce Reorganization Plan underway, which has "raising awareness as a primary element", as underlined in a note on the subject.
"It is important to clarify that, by reorganizing trade, the provincial government of Luanda does not intend to end street vending in the province. Street trading is a legal activity, enshrined in Law No. on Commercial Activities", says the note.
The document also points out that the objective is "to reorganize the aforementioned activity, especially for the saleswomen who are installed in inappropriate places, such as sidewalks and verges, among others, which constitute a danger for those who sell and for those who buy, as well as for health public".
Lusa tried to hear from the police, who sent clarifications for later, as well as the provincial government, without success.
