Corruption investigation underway in Manica

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Corruption investigation underway in Manica

7:46 CAT | 25 Jul 2018

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The provincial directorates of Agriculture and Food Security and of Gender, Children and Social Welfare are being investigated by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Office in the central Mozambican province of Manica.

The anti-corruption drive was revealed on Tuesday at a press conference held by Inacio Vumbuca, from the Manica branch of the public prosecutor’s office.

He added that the provincial director of Culture and Tourism, Jossias Vurande, and three colleagues were arrested on 20 July over the suspected diversion of over a million meticais (about 17,000 US dollars at today’s exchange rate) from public funds.

Also under investigation in this case is a construction company suspected of having laundered the stolen funds. This relates to a contract to build a wall and fence around the historic monument in Catandica honouring the Barue Revolt. Vumbuca explained that Jossias Vurande and his colleagues came under suspicion when the construction work was not carried out. He added, “the investigation began in 2017. However, to forward our work, we believed it best to arrest the accused while we continue to collect more evidence to support the prosecution”.

Vumbuca added that the Provincial Anti-Corruption Office is also investigating the directorates of Agriculture and Food Security and of Gender, Children and Social Welfare in response to complaints about the mismanagement of public funds. In addition, some local schools are under investigation.

Jossias Vurande and his three colleagues are being held in the Manica Agricultural Penitentiary. Better known as Cabeca de Velho, this is the largest prison in the province.

ALSO READ: Director of Culture and Tourism under investigation in Manica – PGR

Source: AIM