Fuel shortages return to haunt Maputo and Matola

A survey by O País at major filling stations found that the shortages began to emerge towards the end of July before worsening over the past weekend. “I’ve already been to almost four filling stations. Since when have we been having this problem?

I thought it was something normal because on Mondays there are usually petrol shortages. But now it has continued into Tuesday and we’re still facing the same problem. “There is virtually no petrol across the city.

And if you do find a station with petrol, you have to join a very long queue,” said motorist Nelson Figueiredo after leaving a fifth filling station without being able to refuel. Some filling stations still had fuel in stock, but only for customers with supply contracts. Motorists without contracts were turned away.

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At the few stations with sufficient supplies and no restrictions, long queues and severe traffic congestion developed. Another motorist, Ibrahimo, said he had enough fuel to last another two days if he limited his journeys, after which he would be forced to park his vehicle if he could not refuel. For motorists with their fuel warning lights already on, joining the queues was the only option.

“From Boane to Matola there was nothing, so I came here. I had to leave my car because I couldn’t drive it any further. I’ve been in this queue for a long time.

Let’s see if I can get fuel here. It was already very crowded when I arrived,” said Dário Moisés, visibly frustrated. At filling stations on Vladimir Lenine Avenue, Karl Marx Avenue and OMM Square in Maputo, motorists shared similar experiences, having visited several stations that were either out of fuel or already overwhelmed by demand.

In some cases, vehicles ran out of fuel before reaching the pumps and had to be pushed. Bobotchuana Alberto was less fortunate. “I was on my way home and didn’t know there was no petrol in Tchumene.

I had to leave Tchumene and come here to refuel. They say there are temporary supply difficulties and more fuel will arrive later. Fortunately, someone lent me this metal jerrycan because they don’t accept plastic containers.

I’ll take a minibus back and recover the car I had to leave behind,” he explained. Others sought to play down the situation while warning against panic buying.

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