Maputo, 1 Jun (AIM) – The provincial anti-corruption office in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula has opened legal proceedings against 143 civil servants alleged involvement in the embezzlement of over 1.8 million meticais (just over 28,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate).
The amount was intended for the Direct Support to Schools Fund (ADE), in Mecuburi district.
According to authorities, the accused are employees of the District Education Service and various schools under its jurisdiction in the district. They are all accused of having misappropriated public funds between 2023 and 2024, as well as forgery and abuse of position.
The provincial director of education in Nampula, Williamo Tuzine, cited by the independent paper “O País”, said that the authorities intend to step up the fight against the misappropriation of funds intended for schools.
“Most of our schools, particularly primary schools, have been operating on a single budget, which is the ADE. We want to remain relentless in our fight against the misappropriation of funds”, he said.
He explained disciplinary proceedings are also underway against the managers involved in the case. “In the case of Mecuburi, we have taken the matter to court. In addition to the disciplinary proceedings currently underway within the education sector, there is also a criminal case”, he said.
ADE is a programme managed by the Ministry of Education, which allocates annual funds directly to educational institutions. The aim is to ensure financial autonomy to cover urgent needs, maintenance and the purchase of teaching materials.
Am/
