The Ministry of Transport and Public Works has sternly emphasized that it will impose a K100,000 fine and 3 months jail time on transport operators who do not adhere to the 60% passenger carrying capacity restriction as gazetted in Public Rules 2020.

Deputy Minister Nancy Mdooko was responding to protests by the transport operators this week, aimed at forcing the government into accepting that they carry 3 passengers per seat. However the Central Region Minibus Owners Association of Malawi outlined that the main intent of the protests was to have the government review fuel prices downward.

Part of the statement reads, “Any excess passenger in public service vehicles shall be removed forthwith. This is to confirm that no Covid regulation has changed. All regulations will be enforced accordingly,”