* As Kawale police impound 26 unroadworthy vehicles for offences that include exceeding seating capacity, driving without valid permits, worn-out tyres, and defective brake lights, among others
* Follows Mangochi Police impounding 19 unroadworthy motor vehicles in December for similar offences that included wrong parking, driving uninsured motor vehicles, operating unregistered motor vehicles
Maravi Express
Since the appointment of new Inspector General of Police (IG) Richard Chakupaleza Chikoko Luhanga, the Malawi law enforcement seems to be in transformative mode as it is cracking the whip on traffic regulation violations — latest being Kawale traffic police impounded 26 motor vehicles on Friday for various offences.
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The Kawale traffic department launched an operation aimed at checking and removing unroadworthy vehicles from the road network within the area and managed to discover and impound 26 motor vehicles.
The offences included exceeding seating capacity, driving without valid permits, worn-out tyres, and defective brake lights, among others — and this follows an operation carried out by Mangochi Police, who impounded 19 unroadworthy motor vehicles in December.
They discovered similar offences that included wrong parking, driving uninsured motor vehicles, operating unregistered motor vehicles — violations which are very visible on the roads of Malawi but tend to be constantly ignored by the law enforcers.
Vehicles confiscated in Mangochi last month
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Kawale Police public relations officer, Sub-Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri, said the operation was conducted following an increase in unroadworthy motor vehicles and drivers operating without valid licences, a situation that poses a serious risk to road safety.
Phiri said traffic officers mounted road checks in several areas within Kawale, including Chidzanja, Chipasula, Biwi, Mchesi, Kamuzu Institute, and Area 23, where the 26 vehicles were impounded.
“In view of this, the station’s traffic branch continues its tireless efforts in tightening the grip so that such incidents are contained,” said Sub-Inspector Phiri of the operation that was led by Assistant Superintendent Thom Maloni.
Most of the impounded vehicles are used for public transportation for hire, mainly taxis and minibuses.
The operation in Mangochi was carried out to enhance road safety during the festive season and most of the vehicles impounded were Toyota Sienta models, whose drivers flout traffic regulations, block other motorists’ access to the roads, dangerously overload their vehicles with passengers and goods that are tied up on the cars’ roofs.
A report by Mangochi Police PRO, lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi quoted statistics from the 2024 festive season, which indicate that the Station recorded zero road traffic accident, and thus they wished for the same positive outcome to be maintained.
Traffic officers also targeted motor and pedal taxi cyclists (kabazas) as part of efforts to restore sanity on the roads in the lakeshore district. And following growing concerns from the members of public that some bicycle taxi operators are contributing to both criminal activities and road accidents, the Police Station carried out an operation on the night January 12, 2026 in which 29 operators were arrested and 36 bicycles were confiscated.
lnspector Daudi reported that the operation formed part of intensified efforts to prevent crime and night-time road accidents following growing public concerns alerting the police with allegations that certain Kabaza operators connive with criminals by transporting them to and from crime scenes.
Members of the community also complain that most kabazas operating during odd hours are unroadworthy, lacking essential safety features such as lights, reflective signs, and warning bells — thereby exposing themselves and their passengers to serious risk.
Bicycles that were confiscated
On social media, the public applauds Malawi Police traffic officers for acting on road violations, while at the same time asking them not to be selective — especially of motorcycle kabazas, who are never stopped despite breaking almost all traffic regulations.
On his familiarisation tour of the South-East Region Police Headquarters in Luchenza on Wednesday, IG Luhanga urged officers to be dedicated to duty and teamwork while also cautioning them against engaging in party politics — stressing that law enforcers are expected to remain professional and politically neutral at all times.
He pledged that his administration was committed to addressing challenges facing the service, that include accommodation and mobility constraints to create a conducive working environment for effective law enforcement.
He also urged female police officers to work hard and demonstrate leadership skills to rise to senior positions within the service, emphasising that time had come for female officers to showcase their capabilities and contribute meaningfully to making the police service more effective.
“Female officers, this is your time to rise and take up challenging positions,” he said. “I want to see more women serving as officers-in-charge, station officers, and in other senior roles in the Malawi Police Service, just like your male counterparts.” Luhanga said.
On her part, South East Region Deputy Commissioner, Joyce Mazalo, thanked the Inspector General for touring the region, describing his engagement with police officers as motivation particularly for female officers.
Mazalo highlighted challenges affecting the region’s day-to-day operations, pointing out shortages of motor vehicles, office space, and limited accommodation for police officers.
She, however, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to working closely with the Inspector General to serve the public diligently and professionally.—Reporting on Kawale Police by Patience Longwe, MANA; in Luchenza by Dalitso Kampira, MANA; edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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