Access to the Maputo toll booth, the main entrance and exit to the Mozambican capital, is partially blocked by protesters and barricades this morning, protesting the resumption of toll collection after weeks of suspension due to post-election protests.
Faced with strong police reinforcements in the area, including an armored vehicle from the Rapid Intervention Unit, protesters are protesting the resumption of toll collection on the N4, the main Mozambican road that connects Maputo to the South African border, operated by the South African concessionaire Trans African Concessions (TRAC), which announced it would resume payments today.
At the site, an articulated bus blocked all traffic in the Maputo-Matola direction at 8 am local time (6 am in Lisbon), while other protesters burned tires, placed stones on the road, played whistles and vuvuzelas and several drivers refused to pay the toll, while the Difficulty in getting around, including transport, leads hundreds to walk to the center of the capital.
TRAC, the concessionaire of the N4 highway, announced on Wednesday that it will restart toll collection on that highway today, suspended in recent weeks following post-election protests.
The information is contained in an advertisement under the title "Maputo toll restarts charges on Thursday", published by TRAC, concessionaire of the expressway that connects Tshwane, Gauteng (South Africa) and the port of Maputo (Mozambique), across the border. by Ressano Garcia.
The border has also been closed at various times in recent months due to post-election protests.
The company recalls that it operates the N4, considered the best Mozambican road, "under a concession agreement signed with the road agencies of South Africa and Mozambique", with this route being "a vital part of the Maputo Corridor Development Plan, driving regional economic growth and connectivity", which immediately ensures the export of South African minerals via the Mozambican coast.
"Toll fees finance the construction, modernization and maintenance of roads, ensuring international standards," the announcement says.
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane called in December, during post-election protests in Mozambique, for the non-payment of tolls in the country, and after the destruction and vandalization of some toll booths, several booths were closed, without receiving payments, including on N4.
Meanwhile, in a document published on Tuesday with 30 measures he demands for the next 100 days, Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognize the official results of the general elections of October 9, once again pointed out the non-charging of tolls throughout the country. as a requirement.
"On the N4, the tolls, given their lifespan, have fulfilled the time of profitability in relation to the investment made", states the document signed by Venâncio Mondlane, demanding the extension of the non-payment of tolls during this period, also claiming that in several toll roads in the country "there was no public consultation" on this charge and "the principle of the alternative route was not respected".
"Many of the roads are in a disastrous state, which undermines the idea of benefiting from services," he said.
The post-election demonstrations in Mozambique, called by Venâncio Mondlane, have caused 314 deaths and more than 600 shootings since October 21, according to organizations on the ground, such as the electoral platform Decide, in addition to violent clashes with the police, looting and destruction of equipment. public and private.
Daniel Chapo, presidential candidate supported by the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), was declared the winner of the October 9 elections and took office as the fifth president of the Republic on January 15.
No comments:
Post a Comment