The state-owned Mozambique Ports and Railways Company (CFM) confirmed that two freight trains derailed in Sofala province due to railway line vandalism, causing losses of $2 million (126.4 million meticais). The incidents occurred on the night of Saturday (29) and early Sunday in Dondo district, with no casualties reported.
According to a CFM source cited by Lusa, the derailments were caused by “acts of sabotage” affecting two trains carrying coal. The company stated that technical teams were immediately mobilized to ensure the rapid normalization of traffic on the damaged section.
The new incidents come less than a month after a disruption on November 3, also in Dondo, when another act of railway vandalism caused injuries to a train driver and losses estimated at $7 million (442.4 million meticais). Rail traffic was resumed ten days later, while the police continue to investigate the case.
Authorities suggest that former employees might be involved in the repeated sabotage affecting the railway. CFM warned that the recurrence of such incidents compromises operational safety and generates high costs for public funds, requiring constant interventions.
CFM’s southern railway network has also faced significant losses due to theft and vandalism. In September, the company reported $2 million in damages resulting from stolen equipment and the destruction of devices essential to railway operations.
In the same context, Arnaldo Manjate, CFM-South Director of Railway Operations, stated at the Forum on Prevention and Combat of Public Infrastructure Vandalism that, just this year, track-switch devices and other equipment worth 5 million meticais ($77,600) were destroyed, including damages caused by throwing stones at locomotives.
He added that the southern region has been particularly affected by the theft of rails, metal sleepers, and other essential components, which are later sold to scrap dealers. According to CFM, this phenomenon not only increases operational risks but also significantly raises maintenance costs.
Mozambique’s railway network is divided into three zones—south, center, and north—which are not directly interconnected but provide strategic connections to neighboring countries such as South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe, highlighting the importance of its preservation and security.
