Mozambique returns detained Swazi rail wagons

SWAZILAND Ð A year after being “detained” in Mozambique, 18 rail wagons are on their way back to their owner, Swaziland Railways. The wagons were being held against the railway’s protests because goods they contained were not properly declared. “Mozambican law, like our Swazi law, requires that a container, in this particular case the wagons, be detained during customs investigation,” said Gideon Mahlalela, CEO of Swaziland Railways. It was not his company but a client who under-declared goods being shipped to Maputo, said Mahlalela. Mozambique will pay R360 000 in damages. Swaziland Railways had demanded hire charges for the wagons while they were in detention. An end to the extended impasse over the rail wagons was brokered by Mozambique’s ambassador to Swaziland. Sources at the railway said the confiscated wagons were an irritant which threatened to become a crisis in the wake of food shortages that are currently affecting 153 000 Swazis. At least 260 000 Swazis, over a quarter of the population, will not have food by year’s end, and Swaziland Railways is needed to bring in aid shipments from Maputo harbour. The liberated rail wagons will be used to ferry maize for food relief in drought-stricken areas, says the railway. Meanwhile, Swaziland Railway wants to trim a quarter of its workforce in an effort to streamline its operations and pursue a programme of corporate efficiency. About 300 jobs will have to go as the company encourages early retirements and, leaves job vacancies unfilled when they occur. Talks with the transport workers union are underway.