Mozambique: 11 kidnappings, 27 arrests since January

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Mozambique: 11 kidnappings, 27 arrests since January

4:01 CAT | 18 Nov 2022

Photo: Domingo

Mozambican authorities have registered 11 kidnappings and made 27 arrests linked to abductions since January, Minister of the Interior Arsénia Massingue told parliament on Thursday.

“The victims are back with their families, with the exception of the cases that occurred in the city of Maputo on October 3rd and November 1st,” the minister said during the second day of questions to the government.

Of the total, seven kidnappings were recorded in the city of Maputo, the Mozambican capital, and the rest in other regions.

According to the minister, most of the 27 detained for alleged involvement in the cases are being held in Sofala province (12), followed by Maputo with 10 detainees, and Nampula with five.

“During the period in question, six individuals were also detained in connection with previous cases,” the minister added.

Arsénia Massingue said that efforts have been made and resources made available to identify and hold accountable those involved in the kidnappings, with a view to “restoring an environment of security to the citizen”.

Maputo and other Mozambican cities, mainly the provincial capitals, have since 2020 again been the scene of a wave of kidnappings, mainly targeting businessmen or their family members.

The Attorney General of the Republic, Beatriz Buchili, said in May that “some” police officers, investigators, lawyers and magistrates might be involved in kidnappings, adding that crimes have been increasing, with some cases having possible ramifications in neighbouring South Africa.

According to Buchili, some victims continue to be blackmailed by their abductors even after their release, and forced to pay money to secure their continuing freedom.

Source: Lusa