The Malawi Police Service (MPS), is reminding all Malawians that roadside vending is illegal, saying the roadside were made to, among others, protect both sellers and buyers from road accidents.
The MPS says memories are still fresh of 21 people who were hit to death by a cruising heavy goods truck at Kampepuza Trading Centre in Ntcheu in March last year, saying this was a terrible and very tragic accident that no one wishes to see again in Malawi.
The police is also reminding Malawians some of the roadside markets that put lives of people in great danger such as Kachere in Blantyre, Lizulu in Ntcheu, Bembeke in Dedza, Dowa Turn –Off in Dowa and Mzuzu in Mzuzu City.
In a statement dated 18th December, 2020 signed by Senior Superintendent James Kadadzera, National police Headquarters Public Relations Officer, the MPS is stressing that all vendors should be selling their merchandize 30 Meters away from the road as stipulated in the Public Roads Act.
The police say they will support City and District Councils in confiscating merchandize from vendors who will be found selling their goods and there will not be compensated.
“The MPS expects nothing but compliance and patrols will be intensified to ensure adherence,” reads the statement in part.
The MPS is also appealing to buyers to desist from purchasing goods from their vehicle windows, saying this behavior encourages roadside vending by giving vendors a reason to ply their trade close to the roads.
