Chipata Municipal Council has increased trading licenses by more than 200 Kwacha.
Chipata Municipal Council Town Clerk Davis Musenge has confirmed the development to Breeze News.
However, the increment has sparked complaints among traders, who have appealed to the local authority to reduce the charges.
Saturday Market Chairperson Peter Soko told Breeze News that most traders will not afford to pay the new trading licences.
Mr. Soko says the difference between the old and new trading licences is too high.
He explained that traders who used to pay between one hundred and two hundred Kwacha will now be expected to pay six hundred kwacha per year.
And Town Clerk Davis Musenge says that he is aware of the complaints from traders.
He says the department is yet to meet with traders and discuss the way forward on the matter.