United States willing to support humanitarian and health projects in Mozambique
Mozambique: 11 Individuals arrested in connection with the robbery and murder of motorcycle taxi drivers in Manica
12:46 CAT | 26 Feb 2025
File photo: AIM
Mozambican police (PRM) have arrested a total of 11 individuals for robbery and murder in districts of Manica province, central Mozambique. The criminals had allegedly been operating in Gondola, Manica, Tambara, Mossurize and the city of Chimoio, the provincial capital of Manica.
The preferred victims were motorcycle taxi drivers – during the arrests, the police recovered seven motorcycles. Blunt instruments, mobile phones and motorcycle keys were also seized.
Manica PRM spokesperson Mouzinho Manasse, explained this Tuesday (25-02) in Chimoio that the criminals pretended to be passengers and requested taxi services to the most distant areas of the city.
Along the way, and in a less busy place, they then threatened their victims, sometimes beating them to death before stealing their motorbikes and other goods such as money and mobile phones.
“We arrested 11 individuals indicted for the robbery and murder. They would request taxi services and steal the motorbikes. We are working to neutralize other members of the group. We know that there are still several individuals indicted for committing this crime,” Manasse related.
Some of the detainees have admitted involvement, saying they sold stolen motorbikes for between 25,000 and 30,000 meticais (around US$64.00).
“I didn’t steal any motorbikes,” confessed Lanito Ernesto. “I just received some and sold them. But I didn’t kill anyone either. I just took the motorbike and the mobile phones. It was the first time I committed this crime and I regret it. I sold two motorbikes for 25,000 meticais. I just received the motorbikes to sell.”
Others deny having stolen the motorbikes and claim not to know why they are being detained. “I’m here because of my friend. He came to my house asking for 3,000 meticais to recondition his motorbike. I gave him the money and three days later he showed up with the police at my house. That’s why I’m here. I don’t know what crime I’m accused of because I haven’t been heard yet,” explained Chico Víctor, a 24-year-old resident of the Equestrian Centre.
“I was surprised by the police at home. I had an accident and was hospitalized. When I was discharged, I went to my friend to ask for some money. He gave it to me and I fixed my motorcycle. A few days later, the police said that my motorcycle had been stolen. They took me here to the police station. To this day, I don’t know what’s happening to me,” said Mateus Fernando.
Since January, at least one person has lost his life after being robbed by criminals who then stole the motorcycle in Manica. Four other people were lynched by locals after being found in possession of stolen motorcycles.
One of the victims of the lynching lost his life and the other three suffered minor to serious injuries.
On Tuesday morning, a meeting was held in Chimoio between the police and motorcycle
taxi operators to appeal for the reporting of any people suspected of being involved in these
and other types of crimes, as well as to prevent the exercise of vigilante justice.
Source: AIM
Show comments
Also read
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.