Maputo — The Mozambican police have been facing difficulties in inspecting trucks and enforcing the law against overloading, because of the interference of "influential people", reports Thursday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".

This accusation was made by the company Trans African Concessions (TRAC), which holds the lease to operate and maintain the Maputo-South Africa motorway. According to the TRAC load control manager, Carlos Mavila, these "influential people", whom he did not name, phone up the policemen on duty, and order them to release trucks that have been seized because of overloading.

TRAC has repeatedly drawn attention to the damage caused to the road by overloaded vehicles.

Statistics show that of the 90,700 vehicles inspected on two weighbridges in Maputo province between January and September 2008, on the roads to South Africa and Swaziland, 31,750 - or rather more than a third - were overloaded.

Mavila said that what happens is that after being caught with overloaded trucks, some drivers phone "influential people", who in turn immediately call the policemen concerned and order them to release the vehicles.

"This discourages the policemen, who are doing their best to enforce the established rules, and it takes away their authority as state agents", said Mavila.

He added that most of the offenders are transporting sand and stone for building from Moamba, Boane or Namaacha, in Maputo province.

Reporters were told that some of the drivers dodge the weighbridge in Matola, and use alternative roads to Maputo city and its suburbs. Mavila noted that these alternative routes go through residential areas, where they cause damages to houses and dust that damages the residents' health.