Salima — Police in Salima on Wednesday arrested eight bicycle taxi operators who were part of the group that descended on the premises of the district council protesting against the council collecting annual license fees.
Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Jacob Khembo, confirmed the arrest and said it was done to prevent the protestors from damaging property as they were violent.
Apparently, the protest was caused by misinformation brought by a shadow independent candidate for Salima Central Constituency, Joshua Nata, who is on record to have promised to pay the license fees for all the bicycle taxi operators.
But when contacted after the protest was stopped by police, Nata retracted his words and said that he only promised the bicycle taxi operators that he would convince the district council to stop collecting revenue from them once they help to put him on the seat.
In an interview, Director of Administration (DOA) for Salima, Thomas Chigwenembe, said despite the report, the local council has not, at any time, received payment for business licenses for taxi operators from the said shadow independent candidate.
"Writing a petition to the council or meeting the authorities at the council should have been the best approach of expressing their worries and concerns, instead of protesting after bringing their petition to our offices.
"That is when we would have seen our way forward on how to deal with the issue," said Chigwenembe.
He further said the district council would continue with its operations to stop unlicensed operators from operating.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the Kabaza operators said they were shocked to see the council officials confiscating their bicycles over unpaid fees, yet the shadow independent candidate had promised to pay.
"On top of confiscating our bicycles, the council has also raised the fees from MK1, 500 to MK2,300, and this amount is very huge comparing to the money we earn," said the Kabaza man.
Speaking on phone with the independent candidate, Nata, to comment on the issue he said he did not say he would pay the fees but rather when voted into power, he would ensure the Kabaza fees are removed.
"This speculation labeled against me is false and I did not say such but only if they will vote for me into power that's when I can take a step of making sure that the fees are no more," said Nata.
