People brought part of Gaza province to a standstill yesterday, setting up barricades on National Road number 1 in protest at the high cost of living.

General trade in the provincial capital, Xai-xai, was completely closed. Other districts such as Chókwè, Chibuto, Chonguene and Bilene were also affected.

In Chonguene, protesters clashed with the police, who fired tear gas into the crowd, but were unable to clear the road and ensure that traffic returned to normal.

In Chonguene, 500 new homes built by the government's Housing Promotion Fund (FFH) were left dark because a group from the town of Nhacassene demanded that the electricity company, EDM, cut off the power.

There is no electricity in Nhacassene, so the protesters decided that if they can't have power, then no one else in the region can. Under threats from the crowd, EDM staff cut the power.

Further north, in Inhambane province, there were blockades on the main north-south highway (EN1) in Cumbane and Inharrime, where protesters looted trucks.