The post-election demonstrations have caused more than €14 million in damage to state-owned Porto e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) in five months, including the vandalisation of four locomotives and 14 carriages, according to the company.
The social unrest that followed the general elections on 9 October caused losses of US$14.88 million ( €13.1 million) in cargo that was not transported or handled during the five months of street protests, according to information from the chairman of CFM’s Board of Directors, Agostinho Langa, consulted today by Lusa.
“The damage caused by the demonstrations was compounded by the inoperability of Zimbabwe’s railway system, preventing the transport of around 1.3 million tonnes forecast in our plan,” said Agostinho Langa in the same report.
In addition, among other losses, CFM’s management estimates that 563,787 passengers who usually used the company’s trains were no longer transported, adding up to $1.86 million (€1.6 million) in damages to equipment and infrastructure vandalised by the protesters, namely four locomotives, 14 carriages, three railway stations and 1,300 metres of railway line.
“Despite the constraints” of 2024 on the National Rail System, Agostinha Langa said that around 27.3 million tonnes were transported, a growth of 3% compared to the same period in 2023.
“On the lines operated by CFM, around 12.9 million net tonnes were transported, representing growth of 4% compared to the same period in 2023 and 84% compliance with the plan. Regarding passenger transport, just over 7.1 million passengers were transported, corresponding to a growth of 2%,” said the chairman of CFM’s Board of Directors.
He also said that 250 wagons to transport minerals and 15 locomotives are being acquired, three of which will be received this month.
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the results of the October 9 general elections, called for the protests, which, in five months, have caused around 390 deaths, according to data from civil society organisations, as well as looting and destruction of businesses and public infrastructure.
However, on 23 March, Venâncio Mondlane and Daniel Chapo met for the first time, and they committed to stopping the violence in the country.
Mozambique’s government previously confirmed at least 80 deaths, as well as the destruction of 1,677 commercial establishments, 177 schools and 23 health centres during the demonstrations.
Lusa
