The Republic of Mozambique has assured Malawian international truck drivers that it will end practices of brutality, bribery, and unfair treatment by its security agencies to maintain a positive relationship between the two nations.
The assurance was given during a three-day technical meeting between Malawi and Mozambique in February 2-4, 2024, at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi.
The Malawi Consul General in Tete, Mr. Jonathan Saka, expressed great concern over the recent incident that took place at Zobue, where a Malawian truck driver, Mr. Elaston Ngonyani, was assaulted mercilessly by Mozambican Border Police and is now incapacitated and unable to work.
Speaking to the same gathering, the Vice President for the Union of Malawi Truck Drivers highlighted some of the malpractices carried out on the Mozambique transport corridors, including police brutality, overcharging of fines, and Malawians being held and tortured in Mozambican jails for prolonged periods due to petty irregularities without informing the office of the Malawian Embassy.
The leader of the Mozambican delegation, Almando Chavana, Director for the National Institute for Sea and Land Boundaries, expressed his deepest regrets about the incident. Chavana revealed that the concerned officers have been suspended from duties to pave the way for investigations instituted by authorities.
However, both countries noted issues of human trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migration that need to be taken seriously. They agreed to sensitize truck drivers and other road users about the dangers of such malpractices and to encourage them to carry passengers with legal travel documents.
The two countries have agreed to exchange travel documents regularly and promptly. They will also share an updated list of road traffic offenses and penalties.
Mozambican authorities will conduct awareness programs to educate police officers and other relevant agencies on how to handle international drivers and travelers. Additionally, the JRMG will meet in Tete within the next 15 days to further discuss issues affecting road transportation along the transport corridors.
The two countries also discussed issues regarding the situation at Makanjira in Mangochi and the treatment of goods transiting through Mozambique.
Some prominent individuals who attended the meeting included Benard Sande, who is the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malawian leader of the delegation, Wezzie Moyo, the High Commissioner of Malawi to Mozambique, Davie Chilonga, who is the PS of the Ministry of Lands, Oliver Kumbambe, who is the PS of the Ministry of Homeland Security, Chizaso Nyirongo, the Director of Legal Services OPC, Barbra Mchenga Tsiga, the Commissioner of Police, Research and Planning, and Violet Magwaya, the Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Region.
