In Mozambique, carriers suspend routes in Tete – DW

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In Mozambique, carriers suspend routes in Tete – DW

10:22 CAT | 28 Apr 2016

DW / Tete Interprovincial Transport Terminal

Constant attacks on the N1 and N7 in Tete mean that coach companies have started to suspend services between Tete and Nampula, Chimoio, Beira and Maputo.

A DW Africa reporter visiting the Tete Interprovincial Bus Terminal on Wednesday found that ticket sales have fallen drastically in recent days.

The recent opening-up of a trench across the N7 in Barué district in Honde administrative post and the death of a Nagi Investments bus driver in March in the same region have made matters worse.

“What with the political crisis, there are no passengers any more, not even to Beira or Chimoio. There are always problems – everything is difficult. I have not sold one ticket to Beira since this morning.,” says Nelson Daude, ticket vendor in the Tete Interprovincial Terminal.

As a result, coaches wait more than two weeks to get the minimum 15 passengers required to make a trip economical, reveals Nelson Bernardo, who works for a Maputo carrier. Bernardo says his coach has been held up for more than 15 days.

“We started to sell tickets again on Wednesday,” he says. “Movement is very difficult, and at this time, I still don’t have enough passenger. Maybe tomorrow or the day after.”

Bernardo has a 65-seat coach to fill, and says he is waiting to fill at least 15 seats before setting off. “Just to cover the fuel. For the boss, this doesn’t yield anything,” he says.

Fear of attacks

Nelson Daude says many companies have withdrawn their coach services from the Tete Transport Terminal because they fear their vehicles will be set on fire by gunmen.

“This is a big terminal, with coaches for Beira and Maputo. But we have just one coach for Chimoio. The others eventually abandoned these destinations – they’re just leaving the buses parked up,” Daude says.

The Provincial Government of Tete confirms this information.

But Romeu Sandoca, Tete provincial director of Transport and Communications disputes this interpretation. “In fact, that is a complaint we have been received from many carriers, worrying abut security issues. But government has been raising awareness, so that they may continue to trust”.

Sandoca says that there is security of movement on national roads during the day and that security forces are ensuring the continued movement of people and goods.

He does however acknowledge that people may be afraid to travel at this time for fear of attacks attributed to armed men from the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, the main Mozambican opposition party).

Another aspect pointed out by carriers relates to the fact that there are long waits at places where military escorts are mandatory, particularly in the Muxungué-Save and Caia Nhamapadza- sections of roads in Sofala province.

Source: Deutsche Welle