Police in Lilongwe have arrested 20 people for allegedly posing as passengers to hook bonafide passengers into one of the buses at Lilongwe Bus Depot. 

According to Lilongwe Police Station Deputy Spokesperson Sub Inspector Foster Benjamin, the suspects have been arrested on Friday during a special police operation.

“The fake passengers, popularly known as ojiya or athaiming’i were arrested on Friday–January 14 2022–during a special police operation.”

“The suspects, who include four women, are aged between 19 and 45,” said Benjamin.

Benjamin said the arrest follows a number complaints from the passengers who lamented that they wait for hours on end on the buses despite the buses passing off as full.

He said: “Their arrest follows numerous complaints from prospective passengers that they would wait for hours on end on the buses despite the buses passing off as full.”

“Acting on the concerns, police raided the suspected buses and busted the fake passengers who had no bus tickets.”

According to Benjamin, the suspects, who will appear before court next week, have been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace, contrary to Section 181 of the Penal code.

Meanwhile, police have warned any individuals against pretending to be passengers on buses that the law will close in on them, sooner than later.