Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican Transport Minister Joao Matlombe on Monday warned that the days of voluntary payment of road tolls are over.
Cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, Matlombe said that payment of the tolls would no longer be subject to negotiation.
New tolls will be charged at all tollgates, whether owned by public or private bodies, taking effect as from 15 May, and all motorists will be expected to pay them.
The toll system was thrown into chaos in December, during demonstrations first against fraudulent election results, and then in protests against the cost of living. Former Presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane demanded that the collection of tolls be suspended.
Despite Mondlane’s calls that there should be no violence, crowds of rioters claiming to be his supporters attacked several toll gates and set them on fire. Even where the tollgates were left intact, in many cases motorists felt emboldened to drive straight through without paying.
When challenged by reporters, some motorists said they were not paying because “We are following the instructions of our President” (i.e. Mondlane).
The government has now decided to impose discipline. Tolls will not be negotiated, said Matlombe, and those who refuse to pay will be sanctioned. He insisted that motorists will be held responsible for their actions, and warned that the State has mechanisms to identify and to punish offenders.
The authorities have been instructed to follow those who refused to pay case by case. There should be no difficulty in identifying offenders through the number plates of their vehicles, or through their driving licences.
Matlombe said that the roads with toll gates, such as the Maputo-South Africa motorway, have been farmed out to the companies that collect the tolls. Those companies are now entitled to collect the money.
“We have to return to normal State operations in all cases of lack of discipline and non-compliance”, he said.
As for the promised reduction in the tolls, Matlombe stressed that this is for passenger transport vehicles and for light vehicles that are frequent users of the tollgates. The reduction does not extend to trucks. Heavy goods vehicles will be expected to pay for the damage they do to the roads.
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