Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman has justified his presence to manage chaotic queues at fuel service stations amid fresh scrutiny of his conduct after a video showed him charging at a man at a station.
The incident, which happened at Mount Pleasant TotalEnergies Service Station in Blantyre, has revived concerns about his conduct following a separate confrontation in May this year when he was filmed slapping a woman, before apologising for his actions.
But Osman said yesterday that his presence at fuel service stations allows “weak and vulnerable” people, including women to access fuel as he blocks queue-jumping and restores order.
In a live Facebook broadcast on his page yesterday, the mayor denied beating the man involved in the latest incident, although he acknowledged pushing him.
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“I do not go to fuel service stations to beat up people. I go there to control queues and prevent chaos,” he said.
Osman said some motorists take advantage of fuel deliveries to jump queues and block vehicles that have been waiting, arguing that his interventions protect consumers who follow the established order.
Speaking at a Malawi Local Government Association event in Blantyre yesterday, he reiterated his determination to prevent queue-jumping, saying he would not allow people who had waited for fuel to be disadvantaged.
However, consumer rights activist Wazamazama Katatu questioned the mayor’s approach, arguing that maintaining order at fuel stations should be the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.
“This is a crisis and consumers are spending nights at service stations, so there is a need for a well-coordinated system involving the police to ensure order,” he said.
Human rights activist Michael Kaiyatsa said the latest incident raises questions about whether Osman has changed his conduct following his earlier apology.
But a motorist who was at the station prior to Jomo’s arrival, said there were at least seven queues, although only two were legitimate.
She said she would not have bought fuel without the mayor’s intervention.
“I would love it if there were more people like him bringing order at fuel
service stations,” she said.
Commenting on the mayor’s Facebook broadcast, social media user Inno Makata said Osman’s presence at service stations gives motorists confidence that they will get fuel.
Another user, Dan Kelly, praised the mayor for promoting a first-come, first-served approach.
Blantyre Police spokesperson Mary Chiponda asked for more time to establish whether the incident had been reported.
In May this year, Osman attracted widespread criticism after a video showed him slapping a woman and confronting other people accused of purchasing stolen goods. He subsequently apologised and pledged to lead with integrity, accountability and restraint
