Government has directed that all motorbike tax operators should start operating from 5am to 6pm effective Friday, October 23.

Speaking in Parliament, Homeland Security Minister, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said the directive has been made due to an increase in road accidents involving motorbike taxis.

Chimwendo Banda said; “We are saying they should be allowed to operate from 5am to at least 6pm, the main reason is that they have been exposed to attacks during the night either by accident or by those who fake to be passengers but ending up killing or robing them.”

According to the Homeland Security Minister, during the year 2020 alone, there has been over 449 accidents involving the motorbike tax operators whereby 59 lives were lost.

Chimwendo Banda, who is also Leader of the House, said the Police will start enforcing the safety laws.

He further said the motorbike operators are also contributing to the causes of accidents involving motor vehicles.

The Minister therefore pleaded with the operators to abide by the directive because the current situation is “a big concern to government, Police and the Road Traffic Department”.

Recently, motorbike tax operators in Lilongwe protested against government`s directive ordering them to start paying tax from their operations.