By Burnett Munthali
For weeks, motorists in Lilongwe have voiced frustration over an early morning police roadblock that had become a fixture at ShareWorld in Kawale, often starting as early as 5:00 or 6:00 a.m.
The roadblock, operated by Kawale Police, has drawn widespread criticism for being less about enforcing traffic regulations and more about lining the pockets of officers on duty. From the testimony of affected commuters, particularly taxi and minibus drivers, the checkpoint appeared to function as a personal cash cow for corrupt officers rather than a lawful enforcement measure.
Each morning, a line of impounded vehicles could be seen along the roadside near Mchesi Bridge—an image that symbolized the heavy-handed and suspicious conduct of the officers stationed there. Eyewitnesses, including this reporter, have observed money changing hands in plain sight, pointing to a routine and systematic extortion from public transport operators.
For the past few days, however, the infamous roadblock has reportedly been suspended. This development follows a serious internal embarrassment involving one of their own: a senior police officer based at Area 30.
According to credible sources, the officer—dressed in civilian clothing and driving an unregistered vehicle—was stopped at the Kawale roadblock. When asked to produce his driver’s license, he reportedly admitted that he did not have one at the time. Unaware of the man’s rank or identity, the officers on duty allegedly demanded a bribe, which the senior officer quietly paid.
What followed was a swift turn of events. The senior officer, after complying with the officers’ request, contacted the Officer-in-Charge at Kawale Police Station and reported the incident. It is this revelation, insiders claim, that led to the immediate suspension of the roadblock.
The incident has once again exposed the deep-rooted corruption within the Malawi Police Service, where misconduct, especially among traffic officers, often goes unchecked. Despite repeated public outcry, cases of bribery, harassment, and abuse of power continue to thrive under the guise of law enforcement.
The suspension of the Kawale roadblock may offer temporary relief to drivers, but it also underscores a far more troubling reality—that corruption in the police force is not only rampant but also deeply institutionalized. Until systemic reforms are implemented, such abuses are likely to persist, with the public continuing to pay the price—both literally and metaphorically.
