Rioting minibus drivers and conductors torch 3 police units
Angry minibus driversand conductors who staged a strike protesting against police implementation of traffic laws, torched down three police units now Blantyre after the law enforcers used tear gas to disperse them.
The police units which they burned were Nathoka, Khama and Nkolokoti in Machinjiri.
Southern Region Police Headquarters spokesperson Ramsey Mushani confirmed some of their police units were burnt.
The rioters blocked the townships’ roads with huge rocks and burnt tyres on the roads.
In some townships such as Zingwangwa, Machiniri and Bangwe, they were demanding cash—K500s—from motorists for them to pass.
The development follows a minibus drivers’ sit-in report on social media that traffic police have introduced new road regulations and fines.
One of the affected passengers from Bangwe Township, Michael Chirwa, said Friday’s situation is not healthy for entrepreneurs who rely on minibuses for transportation of goods.
“I have lost business today [yesterday]. By 7am, I was supposed to deliver goods to customers but I failed. The town is like a war zone as people are late for their endeavours,” said Chirwa.
Early in the morning, some drivers were on the road providing the service but could not sustain it because of threats from their fellow drivers.
One of the drivers, Fatchi Madani, by day break had made two trips between Limbe and Blantyre, but could not continue.
But some drivers slotted in drama skills to convince protesting drivers who had mounted roadblocks at Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) junction along Midima Highway in Bangwe Township to allow them safe passage.
Emmanuel Lapuken, driver from Chitakale in Mulanje, had to pretend the passengers were mourners from heading to Machinjiri Township.
“That was the only way to get to Limbe or I could have dumped them there. Now, I have to sit back and monitor the situation with fellow drivers,” said Lapuken, laughing.
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson James Kadadzera has brushed aside allegations that police are only targeting minibus drivers saying they have intensified road safety rules to all motorists to reduce road accidents.
“There have been increased reports of road accidents in the country and as police we cannot let that to continue. What they should do is follow traffic laws and regulations such as not drinking and driving, ensure their vehicles are in proper conditions and avoid over speeding among others. They should not take this as witch hunting, it is for the good of the nation,” he said.
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Apolice Atiwonjeza
Government must know that this rioting is beyond the issue of minibus drivers and the implementation of the traffic laws. It is typical manifestation of anger and frustration at the way the country is being run. Poverty, nepotism, injustices, corruption and many other ills of this DPP government will continue to breed such anger. Like one reverend said ‘one day the citizenry will not fear the barrel of a gun’. I fear what will happen as we approach 2019.
The Police should not condone lawlessness. Lock them up. They are selfish yet people are dying. They should not hold anyone at ransom. Invite all minibus and bus owners to a round table and inform them that you (the Police) will arrest their drivers and conductors for breaching traffic laws and regulations. Lock them. As passengers we do not owe any allegiance to them. On another notes, Government should strictly consider re-introducing city line buses. We need sanity in Malawi. Countries worth the salt have not stopped offering city line buses despite the many minibuses in their countries. Passengers should… Read more »
This is good coz it is going to reduce road accident due to reckless driving and also passages should take precoation measure to avoiding the seating of four passages per chain cos is also contributed by passages
Un educated savages akudandaula chani? What is more important between safety of the passengers & them making money. Any business needs to be conducted within the parameters of the law so them must not think that they’re above the law. Safety First.
tatumani ma cadet muone.akutumulidwe ulendo uno!
traffic please continue with your job to reduce accident in Malawi because most driver drinking beers while driving vehicle, I have seen this with my necked eye, do your best to Implements the law to prevent us passengers and them