Semi-collective passenger transport workers in the city of Xai-xai, in Gaza province, brought their activities to a standstill today in protest at the poor performance of the police.

The more than 250 "chapeiros" accuse the police of having shot three of their colleagues on Saturday, supposedly without any motive. They also claim that they are being extorted 100 meticais a day at "checkpoints". In this regard, they say that they do not agree with the reactivation of the traffic police's mobile brigades for speed and alcohol control.

"We're not getting good treatment from the police... we don't want the police to take 100 meticais from the chapeiros. We don't want the posts restored," said one haulier.

He said that police are needed at crosswalks and at times of high road traffic.

"We don't want them to charge a chapeiro 100 meticais at the gas stations," he said, as quoted by STV.