Traffic directorate decries staff shortage

The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) says it does not have the capacity to deploy traffic police officers in semi-urban roads.

Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) yesterday, DRTSS spokesperson Angelina Makwecha said the department is understaffed and cannot deploy officers in every road in the country.

She said the directorate mounts roadblocks and spot-checks in semi-urban roads when alerted by the public.

“As a department that oversees safety on the country’s roads, we use information provided to us by the public on violations of traffic laws and regulations to mount check-points,” she said

Makwecha dismissed assertions that the directorate uses roadblocks and spot-checks for revenue collection.

“If the department is collecting more money in certain road stretches then it means that there are more traffic violations in such stretches,” she said.

The Angelo Goveya-Manje Road in Blantyre is one of the semi-urban roads where unroadworthy vehicles are used for public transport.

In his remarks, one of the drivers from Manje Township in the commercial city, who did not want to be identified, said they would not like the idea of traffic police officers along the Manje Road because they survive through this business.

“As much as it is can be a good development, it is worrisome to me as a driver. I am able to provide for my family through this business. I have no other means to provide for my family,” he said. n