Maputo, 03 Nov (AIM) – Road accidents involving motorcycle taxi drivers in the central Mozambican province of Sofala are believed to be significantly higher than official figures as many victims avoid reporting incidents for fear of traffic inspections.
According to official data, 30 road accidents were recorded from January to September 2026, compared with 43 in the same period of 2025, representing a reduction of 30 percent. The number of deaths fell from 50 to 33, while serious injuries declined from 26 to 11.
According to Sofala Provincial Police Commander, Beatriz Tichala, speaking at opening of the 20th Provincial Coordinating Council, these figures do not reflect the actual scale of the problem, since many accident victims are taken directly to hospitals without the incidents being reported to the police.
She expressed particular concern about young motorcyclists and motorcycle taxi operators who avoid reporting accidents because they fear traffic inspections.
“Many motorcycle taxi operators ride without driving licenses or proper documentation, while some motorcycles do not meet basic technical requirements, including having functioning lighting systems”, she said.
In some cases, she added, accident victims even leave health facilities before receiving medical assistance, further contributing to the underreporting of road accidents.
In order to reverse the situation, she called for intensification of traffic inspections and public awareness campaigns, in coordination with other Defence and Security Forces.
During the ceremony, she also revealed that Sofala province recorded 101 criminal cases between January and September 2026, against 90 in the same period of 2025, an increase of 12 percent. The main offences included murder and aggravated robbery.
“Of the 101 cases, 98 were solved, representing an operational efficiency rate of 97 percent”, she said.
(AIM)
Zt/Am/
