At least 95% of interprovincial passenger transport operators do not hold a public service driver’s license, which authorizes them to carry out such activity. The information was disclosed by the Traffic Police during a joint inspection operation with INATRO this Friday.
The Traffic Police and the National Institute of Road Transport (INATRO) carried out inspections at the Junta interprovincial terminal in Maputo City and at the Nhongonhane checkpoint in Maputo Province, targeting passenger transport services.
During the operation, authorities confirmed that the majority of drivers lack the proper qualifications to transport passengers.
Cassamo Ali, Head of the Traffic Police Department at the General Command of the Mozambican Police, stated: “We conducted some operations, some inspection activities, and we verified that those engaged in passenger transport here do not have the appropriate driver’s license.”
This finding was echoed by the Chairman of INATRO’s Board of Directors, Nelson Nunes: “In these actions, we confirmed our initial theory that there is a lack of oversight at checkpoints. We were able to prove that none of the vehicles we stopped for inspection were in proper condition to operate passenger transport.” He highlighted irregularities such as drivers without the proper licenses, lack of permits to provide passenger services, absence of passenger lists, missing insurance, and expired inspections.
The official urged municipal authorities to take the licensing process more seriously, after receiving complaints from some transport associations regarding the difficulties of obtaining licenses at municipal offices. “While associations invest in using official terminals, local authorities—particularly municipalities—do not follow through on such activities, which hinders control over informal or parallel terminals,” he stressed.
In light of these irregularities, the Traffic Police and INATRO encouraged drivers to update their driver’s licenses and obtain the necessary permits for passenger transport. Authorities also urged passengers themselves to monitor vehicle occupancy levels.
This operation took place just four days after the fatal accident that killed 35 people in Maputo and Gaza provinces.
Source: O País
