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
- 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
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.
COVID
- Covid restrictions within Mozambique have been lifted - no restrictions in place.
- It is still recommended that you frequently sanitise hands and practice cough and sneeze etiquette and avoid crowds and maintain your distance from others.
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