Yesterday, Interior Minister Paulo Chacine ordered the immediate suspension of the inspection team deployed to monitor traffic at the Incoluane checkpoint in Gaza province at dawn on Monday.

The measure was put forward after the Minister visited the scene of the accident that killed 24 people in the early hours of Monday, in the area of February 3, on National Road number 1.

"So there's something we have to do. The people who were working there this morning don't deserve to be there, at that post. And one of the measures we're going to take is to remove the entire force that was there while the work was being done. That's going to happen," said the Minister yesterday in Manhiça

Chacine noted the lack of competence on the part of the inspectors who, at a time prohibited by law for the movement of passenger transport, allowed the vehicle that claimed lives to move forward.

According to the Minister, the team on duty at dawn on Monday should not have allowed the vehicle to continue at a prohibited time.

"That's the decree, from 5am. From what happened here, it was before that time. This means that some checkpoints were passed before 5am. So we too, who have the role and mission of supervising, to ensure that the rule is complemented by those who take to the streets, have a bit of responsibility. Because if we had complied with the regulations, I'm not saying that the accident wouldn't have happened, but it wouldn't have happened at the time it did. If we had complied, we wouldn't have let the car pass before 5am, but it passed through a place where we exist, where there are several forces and elements at work," he noted.

Chacine called on the inspectors to improve the way they carry out their activities, in strict compliance with the rules.

"We have to improve our working methods a little more and respect and comply with the rules," he urged.