CTA and Interior Ministry discuss strategy on kidnapping

Maputo, 1 Feb (AIM) – The Confederation of Mozambican Business Associations (CTA) on Wednesday called on the government to establish international cooperation in order to bring to an end the wave of kidnappings of business people.

The CTA met with the Ministry of the Interior to discuss strategies for fighting the kidnap gangs, who have been abducting business figures in Mozambican cities and extorting ransoms from their families since 2011.

In contacts with the media, the CTA spokespersons, Zuneid Calunias and Adelino Buque, were reluctant to give details of their discussions with the government, but did stress the need for international assistance.

“In fact, there are many proposals, and most of them lean on the experiences of other countries who have dealt with problems of kidnapping”, said Calunias. “They all converge on the intervention of institutions who have the capacity to deal with this type of crime. We shall prioritise dialogue to try to solve the problem”.

Asked about reports on social media that some businessmen, even after they have been rescued from their kidnappers, are continuing to pay them protection money, so that they are not kidnapped again, Calunias said “we are aware that this situation exists, but no business person will confirm it”.

Adelino Buque sad that one demand from the business class is that the government should put into operation the long-promised anti-kidnap brigade in the police force.

Years ago, the government announced that this specialist unit would be set up, but there is still no sign of it.

Buque said the CTA has a department representing the private security sector, and it is working with the Interior Ministry. A plan is being drawn up that will be submitted to the government, he said, but gave no details.

As for the idea that businesses should go on strike – close down to put pressure on the government to take the kidnapping threat seriously, Calunias neither confirmed nor denied that this idea is under discussion.

Some businesses are closing down anyway, as their owners take their families and their money and flee the country to avoid the attentions of the kidnap gangs.

(AIM)

Mr/pf (360)