Mozambique: Anarchy in semi-public transport, “chapas”, seems to be far from over

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Mozambique: Anarchy in semi-public transport, “chapas”, seems to be far from over

2:41 CAT | 17 Mar 2025

FOTO-1.-A-batalha-para-tomar-o-chapa-no-terminal-2-rotated

File photo: Noticias

Taking semi-public passenger transport, “chapa”, in the metropolitan region of Greater Maputo, has become an arduous and exhausting task for thousands of citizens who depend on this means of transport to reach their destinations every day.

Traveling is a real torture due to the anarchy that has taken hold in the terminals and stops, exacerbated during the post-election demonstrations.

Among the practices that have taken root are the diversion and shortening of routes, the arbitrary selection of passengers, “interviews” and fare speculation. Added to this is the lack of respect for police authorities, traffic signs and users themselves.

As a result, waiting times at bus stops have increased and, when the bus arrives, passengers are fighting against time to get a seat, even if it is standing, holding onto the metal bar, crowded and without any security.

Users are still forced to pay double the fare, in addition to being dropped off far from their stops, because the operators so decide.

The problem was exacerbated by the vandalism of more than 30 public and privately operated buses during the demonstrations, which previously helped alleviate long queues at terminals and flooding at stops.

The violence of the demonstrations also resulted in attacks on the Municipal Police and transport associations that controlled activity at the bus terminals, a situation that leaves the operators unpunished, as users have no one to turn to.

Thus, in the mornings and at the end of the day, public transport terminals become a battlefield, where comfort is a luxury that few have the financial capacity to enjoy.

“Notícias” visited bus terminals and heard reports from passengers who felt the anarchy that reigns in the semi-public passenger buses and saw the consequences of the lack of action by police officers, both from the Traffic and Municipal Police, who fear aggression.

Source: Noticias