Minibus operators on strike over fuel price reduction
Minibus Owners Association of Malawi MOAM has expressed worry over minibus drivers and conductors’ strike saying they are driven by political motives.
The remarks have come as minibus drivers and conductors in the southern region have stopped operating their trade as away to force government to reduce the fuel price or maintain the passenger seating capacity to three people.
The development caused panic among passengers in the morning of Tuesday 25th January 2021 as they were stranded especially those going to work or businesses.
Speaking to Radio Islam, MOAM chairperson southern region Peter Mvalo said minibus owners are suppressed with the demonstrations saying as bosses, they do not approve the drivers to go on strike.
Mvalo said as owners of minibuses they are discussing the matter of fuel reduction with government hence drivers have no say in the issue.
On this note the MOAM southern region chairperson said “some of the drivers who are in the forefront are driven by political motives than the real issue on the ground.”
When contacted, minibus driver’s association chairperson Chifundo Kandoje asked for more time before commenting on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mvalo has refuted rumours circulating on social media that government has cancelled the new seating capacity of two passengers per seat
Mvalo said he spoke to minister of information Gospel Kazako who told them that government did not issue a three passenger per seat guideline
Reacting Ministry of transport and public works has said covid-19 preventive guidelines and restrictions for road transport services have not changed.
Deputy Minister of transport Nancy Mdooko has said this after social media reports indicated that government has cancelled the two passengers per seat rule following a strike by minibus drivers and conductors on 26th January
Mdooko has told transport operators and the public that gazette public health rules are still in force
“All public service vehicles should reduce their seating capacity to 60 percent whilst observing social distance,” Mdooko
Therefore the deputy minister warns all operators that failure to adhere to the measures will attract a fine of 100, 000 kwacha, imprisonment for 3 months and licence revoked
