As of this Monday, Maputo Municipality will be monitoring the payment of the Municipal Vehicle Tax (Imposto Autárquico de Veículos, or Manifesto).

According to the newspaper "O País", in addition to fines, drivers who fail to pay may even have their vehicle documents seized.

The Vehicle Excise Duty is intended to make taxpayers pay for the damage they cause to the environment, infrastructure and road accidents.

From January to March of this year, Maputo City Council expected to have collected 140 million Meticais from the Autarchic Vehicle Tax, but so far it has only achieved 43% of the target.

The campaign starts this Monday, and aims to force drivers to comply with the law.

"We will have our fixed posts and some mobile ones. The primary activity is to raise awareness among residents; the application of sanctions will be the last resort," said Municipal Police spokesman Mateus Cuna.

According to the source, in the next few days, motorists who pay voluntarily will be forgiven, while those who wait for the police will be fined and may even have their documents withheld.

"If the driver does not pay the fine within the collection period, the amount of the fine will be double the tax he was supposed to pay. If the deadline expires and the driver voluntarily presents himself at the tax office, the fine will be half the tax. Not having proof of the Manifest will lead to the vehicle's documents being seized," explained Mateus Cuna.

Drivers who have paid for the Manifest, but for some reason have not attached the sticker proving payment, will also be fined 250 Meticais. (O País)