Mozambique: Workers in Xai-Xai complain of police threats

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Mozambique: Workers in Xai-Xai complain of police threats

3:06 CAT | 30 Apr 2021

Photo: O País

Workers with jobs which do not allow them to get home before curfew are complaining of threats and intimidation by the police in the city of Xai-Xai, Gaza province.

At 10:00 p.m., Xai-xai city comes to a halt – or at least reduces its frantic pace to meet the curfew. All commercial establishments close, and the streets are almost deserted.

However, some, because of the nature of their work, are forced to defy the curfew rules.
“I have just left work, but the authorities still harass us. But we have no choice, because we are going home from work, and it won’t be the curfew that stops us working,” says Edmilson Banze.

Edmilson Banze is a baker, and can’t produce bread and get home before the curfew every day, a circumstance poorly understood by the police. Asked if he shows his credentials when challenged, he says: “Yes, we do. Some respect them [the credentials], but others do not.” “Some even threaten us, saying, next time they’ll take us to sleep in the police station.”

As if that were not enough, young people must get home on foot, because is no public transport after 10:00 p.m.. “At this hour, there is no transport,” António Manhiça says. “The problem is, from here to Dois Mil is a long way. Our boss won’t let us leave early – we asked to be let off at 9:00 p.m., but he won’t do it. From here to our neighbourhood is 13 kilometres – on foot!”

Such is the scenario in a city trying to adapt to ‘the new normal’, and the restrictive measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: O País