Maputo City Council has announced a ban on bathers on all the city's beaches in order to combat the increase in crime. Thus, bathers are prohibited from going to the beaches between 7pm and 5am.

According to Maputo's municipal tourism director, Leonel Matsumane, at night there are various acts of violence, ranging from murder to rape. "It's important that the beaches are always closed at nightfall, i.e. the beaches are closed at 7pm," said the source, quoted by RFI.

According to the measure, the use of beaches between 7pm and 5am will be subject to authorization by the Maputo City Council. "In order for this activity to be properly controlled and monitored, the request is made and a team is deployed to monitor these activities," added the municipal manager.

The municipality of Maputo added that Costa do Sol beach, for example, will now have a police station to better monitor compliance with the new municipal regulations on the protection, management and use of the coast.