Serviço de fotografia da AIM. Esta é uma imagem disponibilizada pelo serviço de fotografia da Agência de Informação de Moçambique. Maputo, Moçambique, 2022.
Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) has arrested two people allegedly involved in the kidnapping of businessman Muhammed Anwar in Maputo on 30 June.
Anwar was abducted near his home in the Polana Canico A neighbourhood. The men accused of kidnapping him are two brothers, aged 26 and 37.
At a Maputo press conference on Friday, the Sernic spokesperson Hilario Lole said “Sernic found that the kidnapping was the work of three individuals transported in a blue Honda Fit car. Behind them was a white Ractis which we believe was accompanying them”.
The Sernic investigations led to identifying two of the kidnappers. One of them was living in a house near the victim’s residence, and for which the kidnappers were paying monthly rent of 75,000 meticais (about 1,170 US dollars, at the current exchange rate).
The two vehicles used in the kidnapping were found parked at the same house.
Lole said that, when the suspect was questioned he claimed that one of the vehicles was purchased on the day of the kidnapping. The man who bought it was his employer, who also paid the rent on the house. He claimed that he was merely a mechanic who repaired his employer’s vehicles.
Lole said that his brother was then arrested. He had allegedly received 50,000 meticais to rent a house in the city of Matola. The police believe this house is being used as a private jail to hold kidnap victims.
“This facts all make it clear that these two individuals were directly involved in this kidnapping”, accused Lole.
He added that SERNIC is working with its counterparts in neighbouring countries to hunt down and arrest the supposed “employer”, who is believed to be living abroad. Lole hoped this manhunt will force the kidnappers to release Anwar.
Both the men arrested denied any involvement in the kidnapping. “I don’t know why I’ve been detained”, said one of them, “since I didn’t commit the crime I’m accused of. I don’t even know this businessman whom SERNIC claims I and my brother kidnapped”.
Meanwhile another kidnap gang has struck in the central city of Chimoio. The victim, Ibrahimo Patel, a 60 year old businessman of Indian origin, was kidnapped at about 18.00 on Thursday evening as he was returning home. He owns the business group Patel e Filhos (Patel and Sons).
The Manica Provincial police spokesperson, Mateus Mindú, told AIM on Friday “the police are working on the ground to neutralise the kidnappers and return the victim to his family. We don’t have any clues yet”.
According to an eye-witness, Patel was intercepted at the gate to his home, by three unknown men all carrying firearms. They forced him to enter their car, a Toyota Ractis, and drove off at high speed.
