By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, November 17, Mana: Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara has warned enforcers of traffic rules and regulations to stop being soft to those that fail to comply with laws on the roads of Malawi.
Speaking at Gymkhana ground in Zomba on Sunday during the commemoration of Africa Road Safety Day, Hara expressed concern over the behavior of some law enforcers.
"Why giving someone GR (General Receipt) and allow them to commit multiple crimes on the road at the expense of people's lives. This has to end forthwith," said the minister as he also took a swipe at political parties that use lorry trucks to ferry supporters to various destinations, saying the law is clear on illegality of mode of transportation.
The minister said political parties need to start using busses as opposed to ferrying their supporters on lorries.
"If you are a real political party, buy buses for your supporters. Don't expose them to life threatening situations if you care for them. The police will start arresting all drivers transporting people in open vehicles," he added.
The minister underscored government’s commitment to meeting Malawi 2063, to reduce fatal accidents by 50 percent, come 2030.
Mayor for Zomba City, Councilor Christopher Jana lamented lack of seriousness in enforcing the law on the roads of Malawi.
"The operators are overloading, using unworthy vehicles and other shortcuts to beat the law, to satisfy the employer," Jana noted.
The Director of Road Traffic and Safety Services, Andrew Sandula said that if all stakeholders join hands, accidents could be reduced to minimal levels.
50 percent of the country's accidents are caused by kabaza operators, according to the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services.
The African Road Safety Day, was commemorated under the Theme: Voluntary compliance with road traffic rules saves lives, non-compliance is fatal.
The minister earlier visited accident patients at Zomba Central Hospital and participated in a big walk within the City of Zomba.
