Malawi is commemorating the Annual Railway Safety Week from 20 to 26 October 2025, an initiative observed every October since 2019. The country’s rail operators, Malawi Railways (1994) Limited, Central East African Railways Limited (CEAR) and Vulcan Logistics Limited (VLL), are members of the Southern Africa Railways Association (SARA), an alliance of railway companies operating across the SADC region.
The SARA Board resolved in June 2019 to establish an Annual Railway Safety Week, recognising the high safety risks associated with railway operations. In line with this resolution, member countries have commenced this year’s commemorations under the theme “Stop Vandalism and Encroachments: Safe Railways, Safe Communities – Everyone’s Duty.”
Rail transport remains a vital pillar of national development. However, unsafe practices such as trespassing, vandalism and illegal encroachments continue to threaten lives, disrupt services and undermine progress. Trespassing on railway tracks for shortcuts, grazing or casual walking is dangerous and illegal, exposing individuals to serious injury or death and contributing to service delays and preventable incidents.
In Malawi, the designated railway reserve spans 45 metres from the centre of the track along the Nayuchi–Kachaso section and 30 metres along the Marka–Mchinji section. Construction, farming or trading within these corridors is prohibited and subject to enforcement. Railway Safety Week serves as a platform to raise public awareness of these boundaries and promote responsible land use around railway infrastructure.
Vandalism of railway materials remains a significant threat to public safety and national development. Acts such as stealing rail clips, damaging signals or defacing signage compromise the railway system’s integrity, increase accident risks and disrupt essential transport services. These incidents have been particularly common along the Marka–Bangula–Chiromo, Nkaya–Limbe–Sandama and Salima–Kanengo–Mchinji sections. The destruction of railway materials leads to costly delays, reduced reliability and potential loss of life. Communities are urged to protect railway infrastructure and report any suspicious activity.
Throughout the week, sensitisation activities are being conducted in collaboration with local councils, schools, transport operators, media houses and law enforcement agencies. These include community meetings, school outreach sessions, radio broadcasts and stakeholder engagements in both active and non-active rail districts.
The Ministry has urged all Malawians to participate in these events and to report unsafe practices or damage to railway infrastructure. The message is clear: safe railways begin with safe communities.
