Mozambique: Idai victims in Beira and Dondo at loggerheads with INAS over 7,500 meticais grant

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Mozambique: Idai victims in Beira and Dondo at loggerheads with INAS over 7,500 meticais grant

3:22 CAT | 03 Sep 2020

Beira. [Photo: O País]

In the last two days, the payment of the 7,500 meticais grants to the victims of Cyclone Idai in the cities of Beira and Dondo seemed, after last week’s unrest, to be running smoothly. But, on Wednesday, everything changed, O País reports.

Two demonstrations, one in each city, marked the third day of pay-outs.

In Beira, hundreds of alleged beneficiaries amassed outside the National Institute of Social Action (INAS) headquarters in Sofala, presenting various complaints and demanding an explanation as to the whereabouts of the money they felt entitled to. In their frenzy, the protesters completely disregarded any Covid-19 social distancing considerations.

Rosa Nhamicie told “O País” that she saw her husband’s name last Saturday on one of the lists posted at Samora Moisés Machel Secondary School in Beira. Early on Tuesday morning, she went to the school in order to collect the amount, but without success.

“Unfortunately, I forgot my identity card, and they wouldn’t give me the money. I ran back to my house and returned about an hour later. To my amazement, when it was my turn to collect the amount, it was found that someone had signed and received the amount. The INAS agents on duty said they did not know under what circumstances the money was withdrawn and told me to go to the INAS delegation, who are advising me to return to the school. I don’t know what to do anymore … I appeal to the government for help.”

The same thing happened to Eliza Zacarias, who, after queuing for about three hours, was told that someone had already signed and received her money.

“But isn’t the receipt of these amounts conditional on presenting an identity card or another document with a photograph?” she asks. She is adamant: “I demand an explanation, and I want my 7,500 meticais.”

Meanwhile, at Dondo, protesters demanded clarity regarding the process of paying subsidies. Some of the interviewees claimed that they were registered last year, and the INAS says only people registered during that period are “entitled to the subsidy”.

“Yes, we were registered, and they took pictures of us. To our amazement, today our names are not on the lists and we see individuals who are not from our neighbourhoods receiving the amounts. Young people, mostly women from other parts of Sofala province, are receiving the amounts. We want our money,” said Carlos Zaqueu, the leader of the group protesting against the alleged lack of transparency.

Faced with these allegations, the INAS delegate in Sofala said that institution personnel would consider each case on its merits, together with community leaders, and assess what actually happened so that no previously registered beneficiary would be left without receiving what was owed them.

By Francisco Raiva

Source: O País