The Malawi Government has announced a nationwide crackdown on vehicles driving without number plates, warning that the rising trend is fuelling crime and compromising public safety.
Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) spokesperson Angellina Makwambe said the joint operation with the Malawi Police Service will target all unregistered vehicles, including brand-new cars and older ones whose owners have delayed registration.
Makwambe said authorities have noted an increase in crimes committed using vehicles without plates, making it difficult for police to track down suspects involved in robberies, hit-and-run incidents, and other offences.
She added that while some motorists ignore registration deadlines, others deliberately remove number plates to avoid being identified on the road. By law, all vehicles must be registered within 14 days of purchase.
Makwambe stressed that this requirement still stands, and those who violate it risk having their cars impounded. As part of the crackdown, any vehicle found without number plates will be seized immediately.
Owners will only get them back after paying the required fines and completing the registration process.
Makwambe also called out car dealers who release vehicles before completing necessary paperwork, saying the practice is partly contributing to the surge in unregistered cars on Malawian roads.
Police have already begun impounding vehicles in Blantyre and Lilongwe, and more checkpoints are expected on major roads in the coming weeks.
Road safety advocates say the move is long overdue, arguing that proper identification of vehicles plays a major role in reducing crime and improving security.
DRTSS has urged motorists to comply with the law, saying the operation is not about punishing drivers but ensuring safer roads and communities.
