Mozambique combats beach litter

Maputo beaches to get clean-up.

The Mozambican government says that $50 on-the-spot fines are to be issued against anyone caught littering the nation’s beaches.

The legislation has been in place since 2006 but is little-known and has not been enforced before. Now the ministry of land, environment and rural development has said that the law will be imposed from 24 October onwards.

Environmental activists are fighting a losing battle, according to local media, which reported that over recent weekends Miramar and Costa do Sol beaches were covered with rubbish, including broken bottles.

The rubbish legislation states that if offenders cannot pay the fine immediately police can make them clean the beach.