Motorcycle taxi (kabaza) operators have cancelled their plans to hold demonstrations in Lilongwe following Lilongwe District Council’s recommendation that the grouping should instead meet and discuss with the concerned stakeholders.
In a notice to Lilongwe district commissioner (DC), the group said it planned to hold protests against a group of people who demand money from the kabaza operators claiming to have been sent by the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
However, in a statement issued after a meeting with the kabaza operators on Tuesday, Lilongwe DC Lawford Palani urged them to give dialogue a chance.
Reads the s tatement in par t: “Kindl y note that following discussions held in the Lilongwe District Council Chamber today [yesterday], it was noted that there have been engagements with officials for Lilongwe City Council and other relevant stakeholders and most of the issues were raised, but unfortunately, there was no solution.
“That there is an organised meeting between Kabaza Business Operators and the MCP national director of youth Baba Steven Malondera, to be held at Lilongwe Community Ground on Friday, 16th May 2025 at 10am where all the issues raised in the notice will be tabled and discussed.
“It is against this background that it has been resolved that your intended proposed demonstrations be cancelled.”
Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations national chairperson Moses Michael Mwalabu confirmed receiving the council’s communication and that the demos have since been cancelled.
Last month, he urged the kabaza operators to register with the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services where operators will be paying K56 000 for zero to 100 CC motorcycles and K77 000 for 101 and 250 CC motorcycles.
Earlier, the directorate agreed with motorcycle driving schools to charge K100 000 for riding lessons as it targets to formalise the sector.
