By: Brighton Thengoliweta Chimsinde   

Mchinji, September 26, Mana: Police in Mchinji have cautioned motorcycle and bicycle taxi operators in the district to desist from aiding and abetting human trafficking.

Crime Prevention Officer for Mchinji Police Station, Samuel Banda, made the remarks Thursday at public rallies held at Mchinji Boma and Kamwendo Trading Centre, where Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholder and Association (MACOKASA) was sensitising the operators on how to prevent avoidable accidents and other crimes.

Banda said their office has established that some kabaza operators were been enticed by human traffickers to transport innocent Malawians to Zambia and Mozambique using unchartered routes.

“Once trafficked to other countries they face serious problems, including, for instance, young girls have been forced into sex-work while others work in estates with little or no pay.

"Recently we had a case where a Malawian family of six was poisoned in Zambia and another 31 people from Lilongwe were trafficked to a certain Mozambique farm without payments and food for some months,” he said. 

He said as police they cannot tolerate that people should continue being abused in such a way.

In his remarks an official from Mchinji District Council Ferguson Kasonga, advised Kabaza operators to get registered with the council for them to be easily identified and recognised in their respective business sites.

“The registration will also help us to isolate you operators from crooks who disguise themselves as kabaza operators,” Kasonga advised. 

National Chairperson for MACOKASA Moses Mwalabu informed their members that the association is discussing with government and other relevant authorities to change other policies for their betterment.

“Our discussions are at an advanced stage, any time there will be changes in terms of registration and license fee among others,” Mwalabu said.

The chairperson also called on the operators to have crash helmets, reflectors, lights, and mirrors which he said are some of essential accessories that motorcycle operators need to have at all times.

In May 2024, MACOKASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mchinji District Council in a bid to improve safety among Kabaza operators in the district.