A decision in June 2022 by the Malawi Police Service for traffic officers to be carrying a riffle split public opinion.
Those against this direction like human rights campaigner Michael Kayiyatsa argued that Malawi Police officers were a trigger-happy lot that given; they’ll use any opportunity to pull a trigger at any road traffic offender.
However, in spite of such fears days went, weeks went, and months have gone but no traffic offender has been shot at … and no motorist has accidentally or intentionally has hit to death a Police officer.
Notwithstanding the relationship between traffic law enforcers and motorists, minibus operators in particular hasn’t been the best to say the least.
Whilst minibus operators would blame traffic officers of being corrupt … law enforcers also blame this perceived bad blood on general lack of corporation on the roads.
A minibus driver Kingsley Chirwa operating between Blantyre and Mangochi tells his story; he says he would happily hit a traffic officer as they are ‘’ evil” people who only think of themselves and money
Echoing Chirwa, Mavuto Salipila another minibus operator has nothing kind with traffic Police as police officers are all about corruption.
And this frustration spills into some section of passengers who are less pleased with the conduct of traffic officers one of them being Yvonne kasinja from Blantyre.
According to her, if police officers were understanding there wouldn’t be any bad blood between these officers and the police.
Another one worried is Elina Maulana … she says the cat and mouse relationship between traffic police officers and minibus operators often inconveniences her travels.
So. What does the Police make of these accusations?
Sub inspector Stephen Muthama is one of the traffic officers and stationed at Ndirande Police Station in Blantyre but he disowns the accusations.
According to him, this blame on them is just a matter of perception built on the unwillingness of minibus operators to corporate upon committing traffic offences.
And the same blame … he pushes on some passengers who side with minibus operators on the wrong side of the law.
This finger-pointing, has in worst cases led to the loss of lives, as ill-minded drivers have run into traffic officers intentionally to take away their lives.
So! Where does the labor law place rights of officers victimized on duty, a question to Mauya Msuku an industrial law expert.
He responds by saying that, every civil servant is entitled to human rights, and the police officers are not excluded.
Given these safety concerns a security expert Sheriff Kaisi feels it’s a justifiable decision that traffic officers carry a riffle on duty.
But should we get to this point… where the police whose role is to protect property and life live in fear? Why don’t we unite and learn to tolerate each other as one nation, as the saying goes united we stand, divided we fall.