At least 25 people died in Mozambique due to road accidents between May 4 and May 10, 2026, prompting a massive crackdown by national authorities. The National Institute of Road Transport (Inatro) announced today that 2,513 drivers were sanctioned for various irregularities during this period as part of an emergency effort to curb the country’s rising traffic fatality rate.
The deadliest incident occurred last Saturday in Nampula province, where a freight vehicle carrying passengers veered off the road on Regional Road 703.
That single crash resulted in 16 deaths, 11 of whom were children. According to Inatro, the tragedy was caused by a combination of mechanical failure and poor road conditions, which led the driver to lose control of the vehicle while navigating an incline between the districts of Nacala-a-Velha and Memba.
Read more about this topic: Mozambique: road accidents killed 830 people (with video)
In response to the surge in accidents, law enforcement has intensified inspections and awareness campaigns. The 2,513 sanctions issued last week targeted high-risk behaviors, including:
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Speeding: 1,327 cases
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Overloading: 225 cases
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Drunk Driving: 211 cases
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Mechanical Deficiencies: 202 cases
Authorities also seized 117 driver’s licenses during the week-long operation. Inatro has issued an urgent appeal to motorists and pedestrians to adopt safer practices, emphasizing that mechanical maintenance and strict adherence to speed limits are essential to preserving lives on Mozambican roads.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic, Margarida Talapa, addressed the nation on Monday to express her condolences for the victims in Nampula. She called for a “collective reflection on road safety,” urging greater prudence and respect for traffic regulations to halt the cycle of automotive tragedies currently affecting the country.
