By António Cumbane
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – For the first time, the Government has decided to ban, throughout Mozambique, the import, sale and use of fireworks during the 2024-2025 festive season.
A document from the Mozambique Tax Authority, to which MOZTIMES has had access, states that the decision, strongly opposed by those who sell fireworks, was taken because these products “are a threat to public health”.
This measure comes at a time when the country has been facing a wave of protests, rejecting the preliminary results of the general elections held on 9 October. The protesters have held peaceful marches, but have also rioted, and burnt down buildings, including police posts.
Presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who is believed to be in hiding somewhere in Europe, has announced a new wave of protest, which he calls “Turbo V8”, which will be activated if the Constitutional Council, expected to announce the definitive election results on Monday, decides to keep the ruling Frelimo Party in power.
“I think the Government is afraid of seeing fireworks used for other purposes”, said Anibal Bila, a seller of fireworks in Xipamanine market, in Maputo.
The decision took effect on 9 December, and the decision was made public this Monday, by which time the distributors had already purchased their fireworks. In some cases, the merchandise is still on its way to Maputo.
“What are we going to do now?”, asked one shopkeeper. “I have a lot of stock in my shop. They should have said this in September”.
This is the first time there has been a ban on fireworks in every province. Previously, the ban was restricted to Cabo Delgado, because of the terrorist attacks that have plagued that province since 2017.
On Thursday, MOZTIMES was in Xipamanine market and in downtown Maputo, where fireworks were still on sale despite the presence of teams from the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE).
“We are selling clandestinely, because the inspectors are imposing fines. They advised us too late. We had already bought a lot of fireworks to sell in the festive season”, said one informal trader, Lucas Jose, in downtown Maputo.
Artur Langa, who was interviewed while he was buying fireworks in Xipamanine, said he knew nothing about the new measure. “I don’t know anything about this ban”, he said. “We always used fireworks at New Year and there was never any general ban”. (AC)
