Daniel Chapo stated that it is essential to ensure that consumers have access to quality products and are protected against abusive, deceptive, or harmful practices to the rights of the Mozambican people.
Possession and Guidance of the New Institution
These statements were made by the Mozambican President during the inauguration ceremony of Shaquila Aboobakar Mahomed, appointed as the Director-General of Food and Economic Safety, along with Célio Goca and Silvestre Micas Panza, who assumed the roles of deputy directors-general in the same entity.
For the Head of State, this newly created institution must focus on preventing and correcting actions related to the entry and circulation of goods that do not meet compliance requirements, strengthening origin control mechanisms and the regularity of product distribution channels.
Consumer and Market Defense
Chapo expressed the desire for the inspection to prevent the sale of inadequate, expired, or health-compromising articles, insisting that marketed products must adhere to rigorous standards of quality, hygiene, packaging, preservation, and marketing.
The Mozambican President emphasized that consumer safeguarding implies fostering fairer, more transparent, and responsible commercial relations, ensuring that citizens receive complete information about the items purchased, including price, characteristics, quantity, quality, and terms of sale.
Protection of Economic Agents
Furthermore, Chapo argued that the inspection must also protect economic agents operating within the law, preventing unfair competition tactics that distort the normal functioning of the Mozambican market and economy.
The Head of State affirmed that state intervention should aim to neutralize those who threaten the economic order, with particular attention to the illegal exercise of activities and the illicit circulation of goods.
Facilitation of Investments and Oversight
The President of the Republic added that the creation of this inspectorate aims to simplify processes to encourage both national and foreign investments, warning that the oversight activity should not become an 'instrument of intimidation.'
Chapo criticized the idea of economic agents being inspected daily, arguing that the guidance of activity should not be based on a 'logic of punishment or fine collection,' but rather on correcting irregularities and improving the business environment in Mozambique.
Among the recommendations of the Mozambican President is the increase of periodic inspections in markets, warehouses, factories, supermarkets, and restaurants, including the training of operators.
He demanded the reinforcement of food quality control, for both locally produced and imported goods, and requested progress in implementing mobile teams to inspect remote areas of the country, in addition to digitizing inspection through a national database of economic and sanitary infractions and introducing an electronic food traceability system.
Finally, Chapo called for a vigorous fight against smuggling, speculation, counterfeiting, hoarding, and the adulteration of products that endanger public health.
Legal Context of the Inspection
On January 20, the President of Mozambique sanctioned the laws that established the General State Inspectorate, led by Carmelita Namashulua – who previously served as Minister of Education and Human Development (2020-2025) – and the General Inspectorate of Food and Economic Safety, aiming to strengthen transparency and credibility.