Crackdown on Beira Chinese business empire continues

Also: The latest edition of the Cabo Ligado weekly

Good afternoon. Last week we published another investigation into Chinese companies illegally exporting Mozambican timber — free to read, and produced in collaboration with the US investigative non-profit organisation C4ADS.

Chinese logger exports thousands of tonnes of Mozambican timber in defiance of ban

It follows a similar article last December which exposed a network of Chinese-owned companies in Beira, also engaged in illegal exports of timber, and other business activities too.

Chinese businessmen in Sofala export thousands of tonnes of illegal logs, data shows

That article was quickly followed by the authorities taking action against those businessmen — though they remain at large. Today, news has broken of more action being taken against them: their jointly-owned security company, Giant Panda, has been shut down. According to a report, the company owes back pay to more than 3,000 workers.

---

The latest from Zitamar News:

Cabo Ligado Weekly: 30 January -5 February 2023

• Insurgents attempt to cut off two main roads connecting north and south of Cabo Delgado

• TotalEnergies CEO sets out conditions for return during unannounced trip to Mozambique

• President Nyusi identifies Mozambican Bin Omar as leader of the insurgency

Report also available in Portuguese

---

💥 Conflict updates:

CORRECTION: Yesterday’s report that a bridge at Mwirite had been destroyed, now appears not to have been true. Our apologies for the error.

---

Also in the news:

• Chinese security company in Beira shuts down over money laundering accusations 

• Ten children missing after terror attack false alarm in Nampula 

• Government confirms voter registration will start on 20 April

• Chimoio court acquits defendant in Valter Danone case

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News