The Administrative Tribunal has rejected the application for an interim injunction submitted by Companhia Industrial da Matola (CIM), which sought to suspend the implementation of Ministerial Diploma No. 132/2025, which designates the Mozambique Grain Institute (ICM) as the state agent mandated to manage rice and wheat imports.
The Tribunal considers that no irreparable harm or strong evidence of illegality has been demonstrated to justify suspending the instrument. CIM has ten days to appeal the decision.
The legal dispute follows the indefinite suspension of Companhia Industrial da Matola on 13 October last, over alleged violations of the rules governing rice and wheat imports.
Following the measure, the company challenged its legality and appealed to the Administrative Tribunal, arguing that the implementation of the ministerial diploma was creating legal uncertainty and causing losses for economic operators.
“Among the irregularities identified in its legal filings, CIM highlighted the introduction of compulsory pre-registration for importers without a legal basis, the imposition of fees it considers unjustified, and interference in foreign exchange transactions, which, in its view, fall under the exclusive competence of the Bank of Mozambique.
When heard by the Tribunal, the Minister of Economy, Basílio Muhate, defended the legality of the instrument, arguing that its implementation is intended to safeguard the public interest, boost the sector and combat irregular practices in the import process.
The minister argued that state intervention is necessary to guarantee national supply, given that rice and wheat are essential goods and private speculation could cause shortages and price instability.
After examining the arguments presented by both parties, the Administrative Tribunal decided to reject the application to suspend the effectiveness of Ministerial Diploma No. 132/2025, of 31 December.
In their reasoning, the judges of the Administrative Tribunal considered that it had not been demonstrated that the temporary continued application of the diploma could cause CIM irreparable or difficult-to-repair losses.
The Tribunal also found that the legal requirements for exceptionally suspending the application of Ministerial Diploma No. 132/2025 had not been met, nor had strong evidence of illegality been identified to justify the provisional suspension of the regulation.
In light of this decision, Companhia Industrial da Matola may appeal to the Plenary of the Administrative Tribunal within ten days of notification.
It should be noted that the Administrative Tribunal’s decision was issued on 3 November this year.
Source: O Paìs
