Mozambique: Former workers sabotage Machipanda rail line

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Mozambique: Former workers sabotage Machipanda rail line

3:10 CAT | 04 Dec 2024

Photo: AIM

The Mozambique Ports and Railways Company (CFM) is currently ruing the removal of rails on one of the sections along the Machipanda line.

In a statement, CFM explains that this is “an action carried out by former workers of the Machipanda Line Rehabilitation Brigade (BRLM) who had been hired as part of the Machipanda Line Rehabilitation Project”.

The CFM “deeply regrets” the attitude of those who “destroy” what they helped to build because they believe they should be made permanent staff, or be paid by CFM for the time they were working at the BRLM.

In fact, according to their contract, this group of workers was included in the project, at the end of which, in December, 2023, their relationship with BRLM ended.

“With the project now complete and the Machipanda Line inaugurated and in operation, CFM reiterates its willingness to clarify the scope of the relationship that group of workers had with BRLM,” the CFM statement reads

CFM took this opportunity to appeal to the common sense of these citizens to value the contribution they made to the country’s development and to the fact that more opportunities will arise in the future.

In a brief contact with CFM, AIM has learned that meetings are currently taking place with the workers in question, as well as the company’s legal advisors and human resource team.

“Our stance is to avoid arm-wrestling with those workers, as they may have taken that attitude because they did not understand the scope of the contract,” a source from CFM said.

When asked about the extent of the damage, the source promised to comment as soon as the information is available.

The 318 km Machipanda line connects the Port of Beira to neighbouring Zimbabwe and is crucial for that country’s economy, as well as that of the central region of Mozambique. There are 14 train stations and 29 stops along the route.

Source: AIM Moçambique