CEMO NEWS SUMMARY, 17TH APRIL, 2009

DEMOCRACY, GOVERNMENT AND CORRUPTION


New minimum salary levels to be announced by May 1st

This year’s minimum salary adjustment negotiations are experiencing delays. However, seven of the nine sectors have now presented their proposals. The negotiations are scheduled to finish by May 1st. The proposals request adjustments of current salary levels of between 12% to 17%. (Moçambique Hoje, 16th April, 2009)

Mozambique and India finalize agreement on double-taxation

The Governments of Mozambique and India are finalizing an agreement to avoid double-taxation of, and prevention of tax evasion by, nationals who are living as ex-patriots in the two countries.

In preparation for the agreement to outlaw double-taxation the two Governments recently signed a protocol. (Moçambique Hoje. 16th April, 2009)





Parliament divided over passing the State’s General Accounts

The parliament has begun debating the State’s General Accounts for the year 2007. The two sides of the parliament are divided over the issue. Renamo wants to reject the Accounts, while Frelimo, despite admitting that there are irregularities, aims to approve them. The irregularities were brought up in the Administrative Court’s report of the audit of different public institutions.(Diário de Moçambique. 16th April, 2009)





Divulgation process of new General Statute of State Officials and Agents initiated

The process of divulging the new General Statute of State Officials and Agents was initiated yesterday in Maputo City. The statute was recently approved by the Council of Ministers. The document applies to all State officials and agents working within Mozambique and other countries.(Notícias. 16th April, 2009)


(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708899)





Felisberto Naife wants to reactivate STAE for next elections

The Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) is being reactivated for the next provincial, legislative and presidential elections. These elections will take place simultaneously on the same day.

Felizberto Naife, the General Director of STAE, said that technical training of district STAE staff on electoral processes will take place. (Notícias. 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708874)





Donors dissatisfied with UTRESP’s performance

Donors (represented by Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, the World Bank, the UNDP and DFID) are unhappy with the performance of the Technical Unit for Public Sector Reform (UTRESP). According to the donors, the UTRESP’s reform process is ambitious in all areas, and this complicates the measurement of results. They believe that for this reason it is necessary to focus on specific results.

UTRESP has accepted the donors’ criticism and recommendations. (O País. 16th April, 2009)





President Armando Guebuza receives new ambassadors

President Armando Guebuza yesterday received letters of introduction for the Ambassadors of Malaysia, New Zealand and the Seychelles. Malaysia will establish cooperation with Mozambique in oil exploitation, in the specific area of science and technology training.
(O País. 16th April, 2009)



Lawyer detained for attempting to bribe work inspectors

Felisberto José Uthui, lawyer of the private security firm Omega, and his colleague, company inspector Manuel Chilengue, were detained on Tuesday after being caught by the Anti-Corruption Office attempting to bribe a work inspector to the value of six thousand meticais. Their intention was to bribe the inspector to not take forward complaints made by Omega workers. The lawyer is being detained at the Second Squad of the Police. (O País. 15th April, 2009)

(http://www.opais.co.mz/opais/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=634:advogado-tenta-corromper-inspector-do-trabalho&catid=45:sociedade&Itemid=176)



Policemen and prison official detained in Manica accused of corruption

Three police agents and the head of correctional services at the Chimoio agricultural prison were detained last week accused of corruption. The agents were caught by the Regional Anti-Corruption Office requesting bribes in exchange for favors. They refute all accusations.

(Savana. 16th April, 2009)



DEVELOPMENT

Gas production to increase in Mozambique

Sasol will expand gas production in Temane and Pande, in Inhambane province, having discovered new gas reserves in the area. The venture will expand production from 120 million to 183 million gigajoules per year.(Notícias. 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708897)



Customs service impound alcoholic drinks

The Customs Service in Tete impounded alcoholic drinks during an operation at a factory, due to suspicions about their origin. (Verdade, 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.verdade.co.mz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id)



African Development Bank funds water improvements in Niassa

The African Development Bank is providing $20million to rehabilitate and expand water supply systems in Lichinga and Cuamba, in Niassa province.(Notícias. 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708903)



HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND LEGALITY



Radio producer detained and journalist threatened

The Southern Africa Institute for Social Communication (MISA) has been told by its Niassa chapter that there have recently been two cases of journalists being intimidated in Lichinga and Mecanhelas. In one of the cases, Felismino Patricio Jamissone, producer of Mecanhelas community radio, was illegally detained by the police. (Canal de Moçambique, 16th April, 2009)





Mozambicans arrested in India for trafficking drugs

The Indian Anti-Narcotics Agency arrested on Tuesday eight foreign citizens including 2 Mozambican women, in connection with heroin trafficking.

According to the “Thaindian News”, the 2 Mozambicans are Maria Luisa and Isabel Bonifacio, both aged 26. (Notícias. 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708907)





Human rights collaboration between UEM and Irish Institute

Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), through its Faculty of Law, has signed a partnership agreement with the Irish Institute of Human Rights of the National University of Ireland. The 2 institutions will cooperate on human rights research programs and training. Through the agreement, a post-graduate course in human rights will be introduced at the Faculty of Law of UEM. (Notícias. 16th April, 2009)

(http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/708910)