Malawi Police impound 40 minibuses in Blantyre streets

Traffic police officers on Friday raided the roads of Blantyre in a special road safety operation, impounding over 40 minibuses on various traffic offences.

Blantyre police Public Relations Officer, Elizabeth Divala told Nyasa Times the exercise was aimed at bringing sanity and reduce accidents on the roads of Blantyre city.

According to Divala, some of the offences include exceeding seating capacity, expired insurance and certificate of fitness (CoF) and road obstructing, among others.

“Most of the offences attract on-spot fines. 23 of the 40 impounded minibuses managed to pay the fines and were released,’ said Divala.

Malawi has in the past years witnessed increase in road accidents due to among other reasons, influx of minibuses whose drivers in most circumstances are not qualified enough to operate commuter vehicles.

In December last year some minibus drivers and conductors staged violent protests in Blantyre city after traffic police impounded 300 minibuses for various traffic offences.