By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, January 15, Mana: President for Kabaza Association of Malawi (KAMA), Joseph Petro, has advised motorbike taxi (Kabaza) operators in Dedza to acquire a driver’s license and register their motorbikes under a subsidized arrangement through government and Road Safety Alert Foundation (RoSAF).

Petro made the remarks Tuesday during a meeting with Kabaza operators, the Police and RoSAF.

He said the Association engaged government to be lenient with Kabaza operators when registering their motorbikes.

The association engaged government to consider subsidizing motorbike registration fee from K170, 000 to K56, 000 for smaller motorbike between February and May, 2025.

“Besides, RoSAF has engaged different driving schools to train Kabaza operators to get a license at K100, 000 from about K400, 000,” he said.

Petro anticipates a reduction in road accidents through the initiative saying Kabaza operators are contributing to the country’s development by, among others, ferrying people to hospitals, schools, bushiness places and also offering courier services.

Station Traffic Officer for Dedza Police Station, Finai Mwaighogha, commended RoSAF and KAMA for the initiative saying it is critical in saving lives.

“The knowledge they will gain will help reduce accidents as operators will be conversant with the Highway Code and other requirements as road users,” he said.

Chairperson for Dedza Kabaza Association, Vincent Kapiye, hailed the meeting saying the awareness is critical to operators.

“We will take this message to all operators in the district because, as Dedza, we are eager to meet these requirements,” he said.

RoSAF Operations Director, Rev. Noel Mhango, said the organization is concerned with increase of accidents associated with Kabaza operators, which use a lot of public resources through medical treatment.

“These accidents have also led to suffering among households especially where a bread winner loses life,” he said.

KAMA has a membership of over 3,000,000 across the country.