By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, September 12, Mana: Road Traffic Directorate in Zomba has embarked on confiscation exercise of motor cycles operating unlawfully in the city.

The Directorate’s Regional Manager for Eastern Region, Innocent Sulani, said Wednesday the action has been taken as a routine measure in ensuring that motorists adhere to the law.

“We are confiscating motorcycles that are not registered, operators without helmets, carrying more people than prescribed and also lacking motor bike driving license,” Sulani said and warned of serious action if found in the wrong.

Kondwani Chigamba, whose bike was confiscated on Monday, said most of motor bike operators are only employed and they do not know whether the bikes they ride are registered or not.

“The exercise is very important and may be our bosses can consider of registering the motorbikes,” he said.

President of the Motorbike and Motorcycle Association, Mike Mkumba, concurred with the Road Traffic Directorate Regional Manager, saying unlawful operators and unroadworthy motorcycles are agents of death.

He added that despite that business will be lost, lives of people are paramount.

“The honeymoon is over, officials have been engaging us for some time and it is about time for action. Apart from the economic aspect, I cannot allow people to be dying under my watch,” he said.

About 36 motorcycles were confiscated on Monday.