Mozambique Police Arrest Seven Over Kidnapping and Murder of Businessman
Mozambican police arrested seven people, including two officers, linked to the kidnapping and murder of an Indian businessman in Chokwe. The victim was abducted on March 3, 2023, with a ransom demanded before his murder. Authorities seized firearms and vehicles involved in the crime, while suspects denied their involvement.
On Wednesday, the Mozambican police announced the arrest of seven individuals linked to the kidnapping and murder of a businessman of Indian origin in Chokwe. Zaqueu Mucambe, the spokesperson for the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) in Gaza province, confirmed that two of the detained were police officers from Guija district.
The 36-year-old victim was abducted on March 3rd at approximately 20:00 on Chokwe’s Eduardo Mondlane Avenue. According to Carlos Macuacua, the head of public relations in the Gaza police command, the perpetrators, armed and dangerous, seized the victim right after he closed his shop, brandishing firearms and firing a shot into the air before forcing him into their vehicle.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of two million meticais (around $31,000). However, it remains uncertain whether the ransom was paid. Tragically, the victim was murdered shortly after the demand was made, with his body discovered in a shallow grave in Chivongoene, Guijá.
Three suspected kidnappers were captured at their homes, leading the police to the site where the victim was held and where his remains were buried. Relatives recognized the body, and further forensic analysis will establish the cause of death.
The investigation ultimately led to the apprehension of seven suspects, including the two police officers, with additional detainees comprising local business persons, mechanics, and transport operators. Mucambe emphasized that the motivation behind the officers’ involvement in the incident stemmed from “measureless ambition.”
All suspects, aged between 32 and 45, have denied any involvement in the kidnapping, with one stating, “I sell flip-flops in the Chokwe market. I don’t know anything about the crimes they accuse me of.” Another claimed involvement arose from a stolen cell phone allegedly connected to the crime, adding, “I can’t speak about anything else.” Attempts to interview one of the detained police officers were met with silence. Sernic reported the seizure of firearms, forged documents, and two vehicles implicated in the kidnapping.
The arrest of seven individuals, including two police officers, highlights the serious crime situation surrounding the kidnapping and murder of a businessman in Mozambique. The incident underscores the risks faced by civilians due to criminal activities and raises questions regarding police involvement in such crimes. Continued investigations are crucial for accountability and prevention in the region.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
