Helpful info - STAY PLAY EAT in Xai-Xai, Mozambique

HELPFUL INFORMATION

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A VEHICLE / OTHER PERSONS

If the accident is between vehicles or persons do not remove your vehicle before the police arrive at scene of the accident
If a person is injured (but not seriously) put him in a vehicle (not the one involved in the collision) and take him and someone who knows the person to the nearest hospital and ask the medical doctor or assistant to call the police
Show the police your drivers licence, car papers and insurance of your vehicle
Call the insurance company to assist you, never admit your guilt, only tell the truth of what happened
Contact DRIVEMOZ on ZELLO or your destination resort for further assistance
In case of a death, for your protection, wait at the police station for assistance.

WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY THE TRAFFIC POLICE

Traffic police are dressed in a white shirt and blue trousers, only they can fine you for traffic offenses, only they have receipt books

Put on your indicator and pull over
Remove your sun-glasses and turn the music down (a sign of respect and trust)
Greet the officer politely, never be rude, wait for him to ask what he wants & check he is wearing his badge or ask for his ID before showing your identification - do not deal with anyone without ID
If you are guilty of an offence first apologise
If he does not ‘forgive’ you insist on the handwritten official receipt, this will stop bogus fines
You can pay the fine on the spot - but then insist on an official receipt, this will stop bogus fines
OR, if not a serious offence, you can pay the fine within 15 days at a police station (article 172 from Road Decree)
If you have handed over your papers and they are not returned and/or you are being harassed or threatened, phone DRIVEMOZ on ZELLO or travel to the next police station and report it
Do not be scared or intimidated and do not get aggressive
Insist on a receipt, stop bogus fines and help stamp out bribery and corruption
Police in blue uniforms (previously grey) or green camo are civil/ protection police and cannot fine you for traffic offenses - they do not carry fine/receipt books. They can arrest you for crimes eg illegally in country, assault, theft, public disturbance, contraband, murder etc.
Migration (Migração) officials, dressed in pale blue shirts and dark blue trousers, are allowed to check your passports and take a photo thereof.
Remember that only traffic police, in blue and white, can charge you for traffic offences. The police in dark blue normally accompanies a traffic officer for his protection as the traffic officer does not carry a weapon.

COMMON TRAFFIC OFFENCES AND FINES

No drivers licence on person - 200mts

No drivers licence ever acquired - 5000mt + jail

Expired licence over 30 days - 5000mt

Speeding (obey speed signs): max speed 120kmph w/o trailer, with trailer 100kmph. Reduce speed in towns and at schools - fines for exceeding up to: 20kmph is 1000mt, 40kmph is 2000mt, 60kmph is 4000mt, over 60km is 8000mt (double speed limit - jail)

Non-roadworthy vehicle (lights/ brakes etc not working) - 1000 to 2000mt

Not having 2 triangles & safety jackets - 1000m

Not wearing seat belts (in front and back) - 500mt

Drunk driving - 1500mt to 5000mt thereafter jail

Alcohol in vehicle, must be sealed in boot - 500mt

Exceeding number of persons in vehicle that is registered on car papers - 500mt

Ignoring traffic regulator lines, signs etc. - 1000mt

Not having a blue and yellow towing sticker on the front of your vehicle if towing - 2000mt

Canoes/loads on top of vehicles obstructing ANY view of windscreen (eg: canoes must face up so curved end does not obstruct view) - 1000mt

Part of body out of windows - 1000mt

Vehicle not conforming to your papers (eg canopy, tyres) & obscured or damaged number plates - seizure of vehicle docs until corrected + 1500mt

Talking on cell phone - 2000mt

No number plates - vehicle seizure

IF YOU’VE DONE THE CRIME, PAY THE FINE

INSIST ON THE RECEIPT TO STOP BOGUS FINES

AT THE BORDER: -DO NOT exchange cash at the border -DO NOT deal with runners or helpers at border, ONLY deal with off icials in the immigration off ice regarding passports and papers

BEFORE you travel join DRIVEMOZ on Facebook and DRIVEMOZ on ZELLO for roadside assistance and advice on road conditions, routes, road laws etc and buy your DRIVEMOZ car sticker. If you have any issue on the road or with an officer, then call on ZELLO for immediate on the spot assistance.

MALARIA

The mosquito that transmits malaria (female Anopheles) is not born with malaria - she has to feed on someone who has malaria before she is infected
She feeds from evening till morning
Be very strict about applying repellents during this time and try to sleep under a net
If you are infected - and have not taken any prophylactics - symptoms will appear around 10 days (aching body, sore joints, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea)
If you have taken prophylactics, symptoms can take up to 3 months to appear, so if you feel sick remember to tell your doctor you have been in a malaria area
If you are still in Mozambique, go to clinic/hospital for a test and take the medication supplied (normally a 3 or 4 day course)
Do not delay if you suspect you have malaria - it is fatal if left untreated!
There are numerous pharmacies in town where malaria tests and medication may be purchased.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Public hospital: Xai-Xai has a good hospital where you can receive attention for cuts, wounds, broken limbs etc.
Private clinic (Centro Médico Privado a Esperança): situated on the ENI near the top Total Garage, tel: 84/87 7829704. PCR testing is available here.
Private doctor (Dr Augustine): +258 84 662 8093
Dental clinic (Cliníca Dentária El Francés): +258 84 401 6721

Xai-Xai & Gaza Province

where to stay, play, eat & shop