Maputo, 25 Feb (AIM) – Mozambique’s Central Office for the Fight against Corruption (GCCC) has opened five criminal proceedings against employees of Mozambique Airlines (LAM) for alleged mismanagement and corruption.
According to GCCC spokesperson Romualdo Johnam, who was speaking to reporters on Tuesday, in Maputo, these are five distinct cases, “each with specific objectives and at different stages of processing,” aimed at investigating facts that may constitute criminal offenses and potential damage to public funds.
Johnam explained that one of the proceedings involves reports of irregularities in the sale and acquisition of an aircraft.
“We are also investigating contracts for the supply of uniforms for personnel, catering services and fuel, as well as other operations with payments lacking adequate contractual justification.
“There are accusations of practices that may constitute crimes of mismanagement, corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power or functions”, he said.
Another case focuses on the details and legality of the agreement signed between the South African company Fly Modern Ark Airlines (FMA) and the Institute for the Management of State Holdings (IGEPE).
FMA was hired in 2024 by the government to bring LAM into profitability and rescue it from bankruptcy. During its administration, FMA denounced and discovered the embezzlement of around 3.2 million dollars from the coffers of LAM.
IGEPE then confirmed that there was embezzlement of the company’s funds, including the acquisition of properties in favour of some LAM officials, as well as bank accounts set up abroad and sales outlets (POS) held by people outside LAM.
“The authorities are also investigating the lease of a Boeing 737 aircraft for cargo transport that never operated due to lack of licensing. The cases are in the preliminary investigation phase. In some cases, defendants have already been formally charged, while in others, the investigations are continuing and nobody has yet been charged”, he said.
(AIM)
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