Mayor Sampa shuts Chinese restaurant down for discriminating against Zambians

Chinese owned Lantian Restaurant has been forced to close indefinitely for failing to comply with government regulations and for racist acts towards black people.

Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa( wearing a red tie and holding a bottle of antiseptics) in a press scrum

Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa and Lusaka City Council Director of Health Edgar Mulwanda found the Longacres based restaurant in violation of three Food & Health Act regulations. According to the mayor, the restaurant labeled products in Chinese instead of English-- Zambia’s official language, operated its business without a license from Lusaka City Council, and had an expired fire certificate. The restaurant has also been accused of refusing black people entry because of fears they might be carrying the coronavirus. Instead, only Chinese nationals and fair-skinned people were being allowed in.

“Apartheid finished a long time ago in Lusaka after Zambia gained independence in 1964,” Mayor Miles Sampa said. The mayor said he “strongly reprimanded the owner, Mr. Tang, on that malpractice.” Zambians have been encouraged to report such practices to the mayor and the police.

Mayor Sampa says he’ll move decisively with “supersonic speed” to address such matters.

By: Niza Nondo