By Burnett Munthali
Travelling on the roads of Malawi has increasingly become a test of patience, particularly with the frequent police roadblocks that seem to have become a common feature of everyday travel. A recent journey I took from Kawale to Area 49, Gulliver, highlights just how frustrating these roadblocks can be.
My journey began at 9:00 AM with the aim of reaching Area 49 by a reasonable time. However, right from the outset, the frustrations began. The first roadblock I encountered was at Bwaila Bottom, where police officers stopped every vehicle for checks. While such stops are understandable for safety reasons, the delays quickly began to add up.
The second roadblock was at the Area 3 roundabout, and the third one awaited me at Bingu Stadium. In all three instances, we were halted, and the time spent waiting grew longer with each stop. As a result, what should have been a relatively short trip stretched on and on.
By the time I finally reached my destination, it had taken me a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes—far longer than the typical 30-minute drive from Kawale to Area 49. From 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, I was stuck in traffic, enduring the frustrations of seemingly unnecessary delays.
While I understand the need for security and traffic control, it’s clear that these roadblocks are becoming a major inconvenience for ordinary Malawians. The excessive number of stops and the lack of coordination between police forces are making travel time-consuming and frustrating for everyone on the road. It’s time for authorities to find a better way to balance security measures with the need for smoother, more efficient travel.
