By Hope Chimwala

Blantyre, November 9, Mana: Kabaza Motorcycle operators have complained that individuals have been posing as officials from Kabaza Union demanding money from them at roundabouts in Blantyre, claiming they were enforcing road regulations without proper documentation.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Kabaza Chairperson for Blantyre, Kenneth Masamba confirmed the incident and said that these people were claiming to be working with the association and Police but they did not have any official documents from them and City Council.

“When we confronted them as to why they were stopping and collecting money from motorcycle operators without any Police officers or any document from the City Council, they failed to provide relevant answers and they were taken to Soche Police Station,” he said.

Masamba added that another thing that surprised them was that before the operation started, they were not warned as it has always been done in the past and after they have paid the demanded fine, the operators were not receiving any receipt from these impostors.

“When Police and City Council officials are to conduct such an operation, they notify us and give us time to have all the safety materials that qualify us to do our business but this was not done and no receipts were being issued after paying the fine,” he added.

Blantyre Police Officer-in-charge, Assistant Commissioner, Aubrey Kawale told MANA that two men were taken into custody at Soche Police Station on November 5, 2024 before being transferred to Chichiri Police Station on the allegations that they have been demanding money from Kabaza operators without official documents.

 While the allegations that these people were stopping Kabaza operators without official documents are true, Kawale stated that claims of money being solicited could not be proved.

“We announced yesterday that anyone who has paid the money which is being claimed should come and report at the police station, from Thursday until now, not even a single person has shown up to provide evidence for the allegations being made,” he said.

One of the suspects was severely injured and was rushed to the hospital for treatment, the other person is still in custody because of other crimes he committed in Mulanje rather than the allegations which were being made.