The joint exercise followed a warning by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to motorists that operating unregistered vehicles, including motorcycle taxis (kabaza), or driving them without displaying number plates is illegal. So, number plates are basic tools of identification, security and accountability. But, lately, Malawians have watched enforcement mechanisms spiral out of control, with those tasked to enforce traffic rules often appearing unsure of how to respond.
This culture of lawlessness left our roads in the sorry state we all witnessed over the years. It was a result of many years of institutional fatigue at both the DRTSS and MPS, weak leadership, selective enforcement, political interference and a culture that tolerated impunity. In the vacuum created by weak oversight, corruption and negligence allowed lawlessness to dominate our roads while ordinary Malawians paid the price—sometimes with their own dear lives.
For instance, you and I know that the Malawi Government owns most of these fuel-guzzling Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, VXs and pick-ups we see cruising on our roads without number plates. And this practice corrodes the very foundation of the rule of law because when politically connected individuals or other top-ranking members of society flout such elementary requirements without consequence, they signal to the public that laws in Malawi are negotiable, and that obedience is for the powerless. The consequence of this extends far beyond road safety.
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It normalises a hierarchy of citizenship where party affiliation or political proximity, or judicial connection determines who must comply with the law. It undermines morale within enforcement agencies, breeds public cynicism and encourages ordinary motorists to follow suit as they mutter to themselves: “If our leaders can break the law openly, why shouldn’t everyone else?” A government that cannot regulate its own fleet cannot credibly demand discipline from private citizens. In the same spirit, public assets are funded by taxpayers and should exemplify compliance, not lawlessness.
If government vehicles themselves, including police cars, are among the offenders, the situation becomes even more indefensible. But that is all in the past. Now, it is only fair to commend DRTSS and MPS for rising to the occasion and taking decisive action to restore order on our roads.
While much remains to be done, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works has demonstrated that change is possible for sustained road traffic enforcement. This exercise must, therefore, go beyond roadblocks and confront the political protection that enables violations. Enforcement by DRTSS and MPS must also be blind to rank, title or ruling party colours because in a constitutional democracy like ours, power or status is not immunity.
If replicated across all government ministries, departments and agencies, such consistency can produce a government that exists not just on paper, but in practice: protecting lives, curbing corruption, and ensuring public resources serve the common good rather than private convenience. Otherwise, Malawi’s traffic laws will remain on paper, respected by the weak, enforced on the poor and mocked by the rich and connected until selective obedience is fully dismantled.
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