Malawi Police Service (MPS) says all cars without a number plate will be impounded during the ongoing 41st Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
National Police Spokesperson James Kadadzera says the move is aimed at ensuring safety and security during the ordinary SADC Summit.
“Malawi Police Service (MPS) wishes to remind Malawians, particularly Lilongwe residents, to cooperate with the law enforcers as Malawi hosts 41st Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit from 9-19 August 2021 in the Capital City. Police officers are positioned in strategic places in the City to enhance safety and security,”
“Among other duties, police officers are manning roadblocks and conducting stop-and-search operations to root out any criminal elements. Any vehicle on the road without a number plate will be impounded,” Kadadzera says.
The Police spokesperson urges drivers to avoid using the Area 18 Interchange during the time to allow foreign dignitaries escorted easily from the airport to the venue of the summit.
“Furthermore, police officers are escorting foreign dignitaries from the Airport to the venue. Thus, the M1 Road, from the Airport Turn-off at Lumbadzi passing Kanengo to the Interchange at Area 18, is busy most of the time. However, police siren vehicles are being used to warn motorists and other road users to pave way for convoys. To decongest the busy M1 stretch, residents are advised to use other alternative roads when accessing City Centre, Kanengo, or Old Town,” he says.
During the summit, Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will take the Chairmanship of SADC. Chakwere will chair the regional block until August, 2021.
The Southern African Development Community is a Regional Economic Community comprising 16 Member States; Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Established in 1992, SADC is committed to Regional Integration and poverty eradication within Southern Africa through economic development and ensuring peace and security.
