Road Traffic Directorate opens effortless registration process of kabaza operations

* As Blantyre City Mayor Jomo Osman engages the kabaza operators to use identical location registration plates to identify bikes from different areas

* Stiff punishment will be given to those who will not follow road safety measures

By Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express & Petro Mkandawire, MANA

The Directorate of Road Traffic & Safety Services (DRTSS) yesterday rolled out an effortless registration process of motorcycle taxi (kabaza) operations in collaboration with Malawi Coalition of Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations (MACOKASA).

The process also includes training on public road use and traffic regulations, and thus encourages all kabaza operators to Visa the DRTSS offices to learn more of the exercise.

Several kabaza operators pitched up at DRTSS offices in Lilongwe yesterday where they were warmly welcomed Director General Christopher Kuyera, who highlighted the registration process, which include:

1. Bringing papers from shops and dealers as proof that the motorcycles were already registered with Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), Malawi Police (Interpol) and the DRTSS;

2. The papers from the shops will be used for the process of change of ownership at a fee of K20,000;

3. To bring to DRTSS offices if the motorcycles were imported by the kabaza operators, along with National ID to register it at K10,000;

4. The DRTSS will then issue Trade Entity Certificate at a fee of K10,000 to be taken to the MRA;

5 MRA will then issue the operator with Custom Clearance Certificate at K55,000-K70,000 depending on the size of the motorcycle;

6. The operator then to take to motorcycle to Malawi Police (Interpol) to be issued with Police Clearance Certificate at K5,000;

7. Then to return to DRTSS for final registration at a fee of K25,000 to be issued with ownership Blue Book and a certificate for buying a registration plate.

For those who don’t have or lost papers as proof of where they bought the motorcycles, they are encouraged to still take their motorcycles to the DRTSS along with a National ID and will accordingly be allowed to undergo the whole process.

Meanwhile, Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman yesterday engaged the kabaza operators to alert them on road safety measures that included establishing motorbike ranks and enforcement of using protective gears like crash helmets.

At the meeting, that involved Blantyre City Council officials, traffic police unit, MACOKASA executive members, and motorbike operators, the Mayor alluded to that poverty and unrealistic target amounts set by kabaza owners were contributing to the increase in road accidents due to reckless behaviour.

“The owners of the bikes are influencing accidents due to their high target demands which force motor bike operators to be in a rush-and-take risks,” he said.

“It’s time we take control and make our city proud by practicing several measures like introducing city ranks, registering with MACOKASA and use identical location plates to identify bikes from different areas.”

Councillor Osman added that stiff punishment will be given to those who will not follow road safety measures and thus encouraged the kabaza operators, road users and other stakeholders to work hand in hand in making Blantyre City clean and safe.

MACOKASA Blantyre Chapter vice-chairperson, Mussa Magombo concurred with emphasis on the importance of following road safety rules and practising good health habits.

“I want to warn all of you here that punishment will be given to those who break the rules. As motorcycle operators, it is our duty to have helmets, reflectors and to register our bikes.”

Magombo commended the Mayor for convening the meeting, saying it encouraged the kabaza operators to take full responsibility in preventing road accident.