MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Minibus operators in some parts of the country have today staged a strike in which they demand authorities to either reduce fuel prices or increase their bus capacity, saying the current situation is not helping them make any profits.
The strikes which started in the early hours of Monday, December 21, 2020 in Blantyre and Mangochi have seen passengers walking on foot as they were reporting for duties or going for different business activities.
One of the regular user of minibuses, Mwiza Kalonga, who stays in Bangwe but works in Limbe in Blantyre, said the situation has really affected his schedule as he has to walk a long distance to find himself at his work station on time, a situation which is almost impossible.
In Mangochi the situation got so much worse that the police had to use teargas in a bid to disperse some of the minibus drivers who blocked roads thereby disturbing other private vehicle owners and in some cases confronting them physically.
On Wednesday last week, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) announced an upward adjustment of fuel at a time passenger service vehicles are being restricted from carrying passengers to full capacity due to prevalence of Covid-19 pandemic.
The situation has greatly affected business in the transport industry.
