APA-Maputo (Mozambique) Local authorities in Mozambique’s capital Maputo have imposed a night-time curfew on the city’s beaches to curtail rising crime in the area, according to reports monitored here Tuesday.
Maputo City Council head of tourism Leonel Matsumane said access to the city’s beaches is barred from 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) until 5:00 am the next morning until further notice.
“The use of the beaches between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am will from now on be subject to authorisation by the municipal council of the city of Maputo,” Matsumane said.
He said all approved night-time activities would have to be “properly controlled and monitored” by a team from the city council.
Increasing acts of violence in the Mozambican capital, especially at night and often on beaches, have prompted the measure.
“At night, several misdemeanours are taking place, such as murders and rapes. It is important that the beaches are always closed at nightfall,” the official said.
He revealed that the Costa do Sol beach, one of those most used for swimming, parties and other social and sporting activities by people of all age groups and social classes, would from now on have a dedicated police post.
JN/APA