Court seizes bus depots to secure 7 million meticais compensation to crash victims – O País

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Court seizes bus depots to secure 7 million meticais compensation to crash victims – O País

7:16 CAT | 18 Feb 2021

Photo: O País

Two Nagi Investmentos bus depots have been closed in Nampula in compliance with a court seizure order. At issue is unpaid compensation of seven million meticais [around US$93,196] attendant on an accident that left two persons mutilated.

Neusa Massapa, a 38-year-old teacher, still struggles with the trauma of a March 19, 2019, road accident involving a bus from the interprovincial transport company Nagi Investmentos.

“We had been complaining that his speed was excessive, but [the driver] never complied. The answer was always ‘Anyone who doesn’t want to travel can get off’, but with the conflicts we have been having, it’s hard to get down halfway to Cabo Delgado. So, we had to put up with it. But when he arrived in Namapa, on that curve at the end of the village, he was unable to get around and ended up rolling [the vehicle],” Neusa Massapa. a victim and now part of the judicial process, recalls.

The damage caused, to her and at least one other, is for life. She lost her right arm, and is still struggling to adapt to using her left arm alone.

“Everything changed; it’s my right arm. I’m a teacher. The work I used to do required the right hand and that, today, I cannot do.”

Neusa and another passenger, who also lost the right arm, decided to file a lawsuit in the judicial court of Erati district, where the accident happened. The carrier was ordered to pay damages of seven million meticais to the two mutilated passengers, but failed to pay by the scheduled date.

The victims’ defence teams then sought the seizure of the Nagi Investimentos bus yard in Nampula, where, on Wednesday, they met the court bailiffs to execute the decision. After mutual agreement, it was decided to seize two secondary bus depots.

“In practical terms, they have a guarantee that the compensation will be paid; the bus yards will serve as a guarantee of compliance,” lawyer Coutinho Cuanhiua explained, adding that the seven million meticais damages is to be paid within two weeks.

Nagi Investmentos’ lawyers declined to speak to the press.

By Ricardo Machava

Source: O País