Maputo — The joint operation by southern African police forces to recover stolen cars in Maputo has switched its focus from the roads to residences and garages, reports Monday's issue of the daily paper "Noticias".

The change was approved at a meeting on Friday between officers of the Mozambican, South African, Swazi, Lesotho.

Botswanan and Zimbabwean police forces and of the sub-regional office of Interpol.

It was the South Africans who requested the change, arguing that many stolen vehicles were taken off the roads as soon as the operation, code-named "Mongoshe II", began on 14 January in Maputo city and province.

This switch was put into operation immediately, and some vehicles were seized on Friday from garages and private car parks. In the coming days police and customs officials will continue to concentrate on such places, in the belief that many stolen vehicles may have been hidden there.

The regional police forces are now considering extending "Mongoshe II", which was initially scheduled to end in the middle of this week.

The phase of seizing vehicles should be followed by a careful inspection of each one to determine its legal status and ensure that it is delivered to its rightful owner.

By Friday, the operation had led to the seizure of 132 automobiles and eight motorbikes.