Transporters denounce illegal tolls in Mozambique
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Cartamz
Illustrative image · Maruti Soni · Pexels · Licence PexelsCashew nut transporters accuse members of Mozambique’s defence and security forces of demanding up to 5,000 meticais on the N1 and N380 national roads. The charges, reported between Cabo Delgado and Nampula, are said to threaten regional trade and trust in the authorities, Carta de Moçambique reports.
A truck driver carrying cashew nuts from Nangade, in Cabo Delgado, to the city of Nacala, in Nampula province, said he was forced to pay at least 1,000 meticais at every checkpoint he passed on Tuesday, amounting to more than 5,000 meticais over the whole journey, Carta reports. He said he was threatened when he refused to pay: members of the security forces allegedly told him they would not assist him if anything happened.
Transporters say the charges are being collected, among other places, between Silva Macua and the Lúrio River on the EN1, as well as along the entire N380, between Ancuabe and Mocímboa da Praia. A driver also accused members of the security forces and the Local Force, a militia made up of former Frelimo guerrillas, of setting up intermediate checkpoints to demand money.
On the N380, between Silva Macua and Mocímboa da Praia, a military escort accompanies people, goods and vehicles for more than 100 kilometres, between Macomia and the Oasse junction. Drivers believe the forced payments are undermining trust between transporters and security authorities in a province that has faced an insurgency for nine years.
The allegations come after three fishermen held by terrorist groups in Cabo Delgado escaped, as reported on 26 October in an article about their escape. On 18 October, an article on attacks against civilians in Cabo Delgado reported an intensification of the violence.
