Police arrest 15 bicycle taxi operators in Mzuzu

Police in Mzuzu have arrested 15 bicycle operators and impounded 150 bicycles following the operators’ protests against authorities’ decision to move them to designated areas.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Norah Chimwala on Thursday said city authorities and police decided to move the operators to designated places.

She said this followed a rise in road accidents mainly caused by the operators as most of them were ignorant of the Highway Code.

She said the officials resolved that the operators should not operate in the central business district as their presence was also causing congestion.

Chimwala said when the officers went to remove the operators on Wednesday, they started stoning the police and burning tyres to block roads.

“Over 150 bicycles were impounded [Thursday] during a sweeping exercise which aimed at relocating bicycle taxi operators to their designated areas.

“Fifteen people were also arrested. These were throwing stones at police officers who were conducting the exercise and were also blocking roads and burning tyres. They have been charged with the offence of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and will appear before court soon,” said Chimwala.