Maputo, Mozambique — Mozambican Interior minister Almerino Manhenje has called for profound changes in the attitude of policemen and other functionaries of his department.

At a coordination council meeting late last week Manhenje said it was out of turn for citizens to negotiate with ministry officials to secure documents they were entitled to, including passports or work permits for foreigners.

He also noted the converse, where Mozambican national identification papers are found in the possession of foreigners.

Manhenje said it made no sense that foreigners who entered Mozambique on tourist visas were immediately employed on building sites or in bars with the complicity of Interior ministry officials who either renew their visas or, worse still, issue them Mozambican passports or identification papers.

The minister insisted that the country's police ought to inspire "confidence and respect" among members of the public, instead of being a source of harassment.

Manhenje was reacting to complaints of police officers demanding money from people accosted without identification papers.