By Burnett Munthali
Parking space in the capital city of Lilongwe has become a source of confusion and frustration for motorists.
There are some designated parking spaces that have been provided along the newly rehabilitated roads in the city.
These spaces appear clearly marked and were initially welcomed by the public as a positive step in improving urban traffic management.
However, according to observations made by the Malawi Freedom Network on several occasions, troubling incidents have been recorded.
City Assembly personnel have been seen confronting drivers and seizing vehicles that are parked in these supposedly designated spaces.
In many of these cases, the drivers are being charged a penalty fee despite parking their vehicles in areas that seem legally provided for public use.
This practice has raised serious questions about the transparency and consistency of Lilongwe City Assembly’s enforcement approach.
Motorists are left confused as to whether these parking bays are truly legal or simply traps set up to generate fines.
The lack of proper signage or clear guidelines only worsens the situation, making it hard for drivers to understand where they are allowed to park.
Some believe this could be a coordinated scheme to raise city revenue through penalties, rather than a genuine traffic control strategy.
The general public is now demanding that Lilongwe City Assembly come forward and clarify the terms of use for these parking spaces.
Clear signage, public awareness campaigns, and transparent enforcement policies are urgently needed to prevent further exploitation of unsuspecting motorists.
As it stands, the issue reflects deeper problems of governance and accountability within city operations.
If left unchecked, this will not only erode public trust but also discourage people from entering the city centre, negatively impacting local businesses.
Authorities must act swiftly to ensure that parking regulations are communicated effectively and fairly enforced across the city.
Only through proper urban management can Lilongwe move toward becoming a truly modern and accessible capital.
