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A massive fire destroyed a supermarket and three warehouses in the Zimpeto neighbourhood of Maputo, putting more than 100 jobs at risk. The blaze broke out on the evening of Saturday, 10 October, and continued until Sunday afternoon, requiring several firefighting teams to battle the flames for approximately 17 hours.
The fire started at around 8 p.m. on Saturday and was only brought under control at approximately 1 p.m. the following day. The emergency response involved personnel from the National Public Rescue Service (SENSAP), firefighters from Mozambique Airports and a third emergency response team.
According to Anselmo Huo, the establishment's manager, the fire broke out after employees had left the premises. Management was alerted by nearby residents who reported flames inside the commercial complex.
Huo said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear, explaining that the fire appeared to have started in a storage area where cardboard boxes and plastic materials made firefighting operations particularly difficult.
Meanwhile, SENSAP has identified a short circuit as the probable cause of the fire. The institution's spokesperson, Vanessa Chiau, explained that the establishment had experienced electrical problems earlier on Saturday afternoon, resulting in a temporary power outage.
Following the restoration of electricity, the fire reportedly broke out at around 8 p.m., with emergency authorities preliminarily linking the incident to an electrical fault.
The destruction of the facilities could affect more than 110 employees, according to the establishment's management. Beyond the threatened jobs, the blaze destroyed three warehouses that supplied supermarkets in Maputo, Matola, Vilanculos and Beira.
One of the employees, Wendy Alberto, expressed concern about losing her job, describing the establishment as an essential source of income.
Maputo Mayor Rasaque Manhique visited the scene and expressed concern over the economic and social consequences of the fire. He emphasised that the losses extended beyond the business owners, affecting employees and families whose livelihoods depend on the commercial establishment.
The mayor also noted that the municipality was overseeing reconstruction efforts at commercial facilities destroyed by another recent fire at Xiquelene Market.
This marks the third major fire recorded in Maputo in less than 15 days, raising renewed concerns about fire prevention measures and safety standards in commercial establishments across the capital.
Authorities have not yet disclosed an official estimate of the material damage caused by the Zimpeto fire.
The Bank of Mozambique has extended by another six months the requirement for exporters to convert 50% of their export earnings into the national currency, in a move aimed at increasing foreign currency availability within the financial system. The decision took effect on 9 October, extending the exceptional regime introduced in April 2025.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has announced that authorities will begin the compulsory collection of illegally held firearms after the voluntary surrender campaign ends in December 2026. The measure is expected to take effect in January 2027, following the expiration of the amnesty period granted to citizens possessing unregistered or illegally held weapons.
The Mozambican Government has introduced new rules into its petroleum legislation to prevent the State from bearing financial costs arising from project suspensions caused by force majeure events. The measure follows disagreements with French multinational TotalEnergies, which claimed an additional $4.5 billion in costs associated with the suspension of the Mozambique LNG project in Cabo Delgado.
Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday, 11 October, that he will undergo surgery to remove a nodule detected in one of his lungs during recent medical examinations. The operation is expected to take place in the coming days at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome.
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