NEWS SUMMARY. 3rd JUNE 2009

GOVERNANCE, DEMOCRACY AND CORRUPTION

Government goes to Parliament for the last time
The Government goes today and tomorrow to Parliament, to answer the
questions of Deputies regarding the results of its five year programme.
Deputies await the session with a high level of expectation, given that
is the last one of the present Government's mandate.
Notícias. 3rd June, 2009
http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/777577


Maria Moreno Ready to Join MDM
Maria Moreno, the former head of the parliamentary group of Mozambique's
main opposition party, Renamo, has said that she will join the breakaway
from Renamo, the Mozambique Democratic Movment (MDM), if invited to do
so.
Moreno is known to be a friend and supporter of the mayor of Beira,
Daviz Simango, who was expelled from Renamo in September, and formed the
MDM in March. Also in March, the Renamo Political Committee announced
that it no longer considered Moreno politically trustworthy, and sacked
her as leader of the parliamentary group
Club of Mozambique, 3rd Junho, 2009
http://www.clubofmozambique.com/solutions1/sectionnews.php?secao=mozambique&id=15229&tipo=one


Explosions in Maringue are a provocation by Frelimo – says Dhlakama
According to the leader of Renamo, Afonso Dhlakama, the explosions of
Maringue constitute a provocation by Frelimo, with the aim of sabotaging
his Party's activities. Dhlakama argues that this is the third or fourth
time that Frelimo has tried to attack the base of Maringue.
He made the allegations in Nacala Porto, where he is currently working.
O Pais. 2nd June, 2009
http://www.opais.co.mz/opais/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1532:explosoes-de-maringue-sao-provocacoes-da-frelimo&catid=63:politica&Itemid=273


DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMICS

Part of the land is not used – say people of Marracuene
The people of Marracuene, at a meeting yesterday with President Armando
Guebuza, said that there are large areas of fertile land in the hands of
citizens who are not using them. These landowners only appear when
someone else wants to put the land to use. They believe that the problem
contributes to the low index of agricultural production in this district
of Maputo province.
Noticias. 3rd June 2009
http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/777706


China supports Defense sector
China is supporting the Defense sector to the amount of US$3m for the
two year period 2008/2009. This information was made public by Filipe
Nyussi, Minister of Defense, after his recent visit to China.
The visit aimed to strengthen the traditional relations of cooperation
between the countries.
Notícias. 3rd June, 2009
http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/777582


The capacity of the Port of Maputo is increased
US$273m has been invested in the Port of Maputo under a large expansion
programme which began in 2003. The aim of the programme has been to
increase the Port's handling capacity to 750,000 tons per year, in order
to respond to the ever-increasing needs for the handling and storage of
cargo destined for the international market.
Noticias, 3rd June, 2009
http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/777827


Customs union in SADC countries
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is in the preparation
phase of the regional customs union, which should begin functioning next
year. A seminar, which began yesterday, is being held in Maputo on the
SADC Customs Code, where justice officers and economic officials are
working in order to improve the instrument, which aims to facilitate
regional trade.
Bom dia Moçambique, TVM – 3rd June, 2009


HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Attorney General of Mabote dismissed due to corruption
The Attorney General of Mabote district, Inhambane province, was
dismissed from his position after being accused of abuse of power and
the confiscation of State property. According to local people, the
Attorney General commited malpractice, for example by ordering arbitrary
imprisonments. He also tried to arrest the District Admistrator. He has
been arrested and detained by the Police.
Magazine Independente. 3rd June, 2009


Judge accused of extortion
A tax judge for the districts of Angoche, Moma and Mogincual, in Nampula
province, has been accused of extorting money from local entrepreneurs.
Money had to be paid in order to avoid the enforced closure of their
companies. In some cases money was paid to the judge but companies
closed due to a lack of money to then pay taxes and salaries.
O Pais, 3rd June 2009


Parliament approves the law of defense of the consumer
The Parliament has approved the proposal to the Law of the Defense of
the consumer, which aims to protect the consumer against abuses by
commercial agents.
A Tribuna Fax. 2nd June, 2009


Collaboration

Delfina Dança – Democracy, Governance and Corruption
Saite Junior – Development
Sandra Matusse – Human Rights, Justice and Legal Affairs
Constancio Nguja and Michael Howard – Translation

Celso Gusse – CEMO Director Executive