Mozambique: Business Federation calls for “basic security measures” against kidnappings

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Business Federation calls for “basic security measures” against kidnappings

4:11 CAT | 14 Aug 2020

in file CoM

The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), the country’s largest business association, on Thursday demanded “basic security measures” for entrepreneurs, to counter the wave of kidnappings targeting businesspeople and their families.

“The CTA wants to be part of the solution, so it is making itself available to the competent authorities to collaborate in the identification of basic security measures for businesspeople, and minimise the chance of abductions,” CTA vice president Álvaro Massingue told a press conference.

Álvaro Massingue said that successive abductions in Mozambique’s main cities were sowing a climate of terror and panic and damping investors’ desire to do business in the country.

Massingue condemned the abduction on Wednesday of a customs sector businessman in Maputo province, saying the event only aggravates the climate of fear and insecurity.

“CTA reiterates its condemnation of this type of act and again calls for a quick response to this evil, which is negatively affecting businesspeople and inhibiting efforts to contribute to a more stable and prosperous economy,” Massingue declared.

The Mozambican authorities have recorded a total of eight abductions since the beginning of 2020, all of businessmen or their family members.

Of the cases recorded this year, two victims were rescued by the authorities in Maputo, and a third released in conditions still to be clarified.

One of the victims rescued by the authorities is Indian businessman and philanthropist Rizwan Adatia, who left Mozambique after continued threats of extortion and being kidnapped again after his release.

After a wave of kidnappings in Mozambique’s main cities peaked over 2012 and 2013, the number of cases dropped, but has risen again since the beginning of 2020.

Source: Lusa