Mozambique says will not compensate for riot damages

MAPUTO, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Mozambique will not pay compensation for property damaged during violent protests over increased transport fares that left three people dead and 104 others injured, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Thousands of people took to the streets early this week, protesting against a 50 percent rise in the cost of mass transport. Protesters looted shops, damaged vehicles and burnt some electricity poles.


Police using live ammunition, shot and killed three people while trying to disperse the crowd.

Transport and Communications Minister Antonio Mungwambe said the cost of damaged property could total millions of dollars but the government had no plans to compensate for the losses.

“No where in the world the state compensates for losses sustained by any person in respect of damages by riots,” he said in a statement.

Fares have been driven higher by rising fuel prices. This year the local price of petrol has climbed 46 percent and diesel almost 90 percent. Kerosene prices rose 61 percent.

Reuters