Mozambique: Police officer denies raping 14-year-old in Gaza

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Mozambique: Police officer denies raping 14-year-old in Gaza

4:54 CAT | 06 Jan 2023

Photo: O País

A police officer assigned to the VIP Protection Unit (UPAI) has been detained since January 1st, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Xai-Xai district, Gaza province.

A note issued by the 4th PRM Police Station in Xai-Xai reports an incident on Xai-Xai beach in the early hours of January 1, 2023, in which the 27-year-old individual was allegedly caught by members of the public raping a minor.

The crowd tied the man up and tortured him before the arrival of the police. After his arrest, the man had to be hospitalised. The PRM have sent a report, number 01/SAFMVV/2023, to the Public Prosecutor for subsequent procedures .

“[The agent] will be subject to disciplinary proceedings at the organisation level and then criminal [proceedings], which will be decided by the courts. He goes to the dock with the aggravating factor of being a police officer,” Gaza PRM spokesperson Carlos Macuácua told the press.

The agent arrested, a father of three and policeman of five years standing, was paraded before the press on Thursday. He asked for forgiveness, saying that he was drunk and did not know that the girl was a minor.

According to ‘O País’, the detainee further denied, in statements to the press yesterday, that he was caught in the sexual act by the population, contrary to the reports. “We were there together. She was the one who took me to that place. People who were there held me down and took my clothes off. Then, they put the girl under me. I don’t even know them, and they wanted to kill me,” he detailed in his version of the incident.

“I am very sorry, because I’ve lost my job and many other things. I’m in jail and my whole life is on hold,” the detainee told reporters.

Meanwhile, Mozambican health authorities announced yesterday that a total of 95 rape victims were admitted to hospitals and health units across the country during the festive season.

Source: Carta / O País / Lusa