Mozambique: Police rescue Rwandan kidnapped in Matola

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Mozambique: Police rescue Rwandan kidnapped in Matola

10:21 CAT | 20 Jul 2022

Screen grab: SeRNIC spokesman speaks to TV Miramar. [Image: TV Miramar / Fala Moçambique]

Mozambican police this afternoon rescued a Rwandan citizen who had allegedly been kidnaped during the morning in Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo, in southern Mozambique, a source from the corporation announced.

The victim was allegedly abducted from his commercial establishment during the morning and was located after a complaint was filed by one of the family members, explained Henriques Mendes, spokesman for the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) in Maputo province, who was speaking at a press conference .

The Rwandan citizen was reportedly kidnapped in the city of Matola and located in Boane, 24 kilometres away from the crime scene.

“When the suspects realized that SERNIC was carrying out the operation, they abandoned the victim and fled,” said the spokesman, noting that investigations are underway for the identification and subsequent accountability of the four kidnappers.

According to authorities, the victim is now with his family and in good health.

Some Mozambican cities, especially provincial capitals, have been affected again since 2020 by a wave of kidnappings, mainly targeting business people or their families.

In an assessment of crime, presented at the beginning of May, the Attorney General of the Republic of Mozambique said that kidnapping crimes have been increasing and criminal groups have cross-border ramifications, maintaining cells in countries such as South Africa.

In November 2021, the Police of the Republic of Mozambique launched the formation of a mixed force to respond to this type of crime, a group of officers who will be trained by Rwandan specialists.