26 February 2008
Maputo — The Mozambican police on Tuesday announced that they have arrested 14 people in connection with Monday's strike by the minibuses (known as "chapas") that provide much of Maputo's passenger transport.
Those arrested are six chapa drivers and eight fare collectors. According to the police this group made use of a licensed minibus to move around the city, and urge other minibus drivers to join the strike, in protest against the government's alleged failure to implement its promise to supply diesel for the chapas at a subsidized price.
The spokesperson for the Maputo City Police Command, Abilio Quive, said the 14 men were being charged with incitement and disturbing public order. "The police intercepted a passenger transport vehicle and arrested the individuals who were using this vehicle to disturb public order", he told reporters.
The fact that the group was using a duly licensed minibus is a serious embarrassment for the Federation of Road Transport Associations (FEMATRO) which has insisted that the strike was fomented by unlicensed operators.
Clearly the group arrested worked for at least eight different chapas, and the police could not say whether these were licensed or not. Quive said that the traffic police check whether motorists possess a driving licence, and title deeds to the vehicle. They also have the power to fine vehicles that are overloaded, and to check on their roadworthiness.
But Quive insisted that it is not the responsibility of the traffic police to check whether minibuses have been licensed by the local authorities.
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