Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Portuguese and Zimbabwean nationals detained with weapons in central Mozambique claim that the weapons were for personal protection, a justification the authorities reject, a police source told Lusa.
“The calibres of the weapons seized show that they are not for self-defence” or [for] property [defence], underlined Mateus Mindu, spokesman for the Police in Manica, in statements to Lusa.
At stake are the contours of a “record seizure of weapons in the hands of foreigners”, on Wednesday.
An extensive arsenal, with 38 weapons and hundreds of ammunition, was seized in two flats of a condominium in the upper-middle class Trangapasso neighbourhood, in the city of Chimoio, where the two suspects lived with a work visa in Mozambique.
Portuguese citizen João Moreira da Cruz and Zimbabwean citizen Gert Andrew Naupe were arrested in their respective flats, the seized weapons being distributed between the two residences.
Police did not specify the weapons seized from each of the flats.
João Moreira da Cruz owns the ‘Jardim Restaurante’, one of the most prestigious in the centre of Chimoio.
The restaurant was still open on Friday, but staff declined to comment.
Gert Andrew Naupe is a director atBritish-owned agricultural marketing and processing company DECA, which owns one of the largest abattoirs in central Mozambique and also owns the condominium where the weapons were hidden
From the list of police seizures, to which Lusa had access today (June 2), there are 16 air pressure pistols, 10 war pistols and four magazines, 9 shotguns, 3 air pressure weapons, 60 ammunition for PK automatic machine guns and an equal number of AKM assault rifle ammunition, 149 pistol ammunition, plus four bulletproof vests.
In the two residences, 43 bayonets, four swords, two axes and three assegai (spears) were also seized.
The police collected 53 low-frequency communication radios, four mobile phones, a compass watch and a pair of binoculars, two video cameras and a package of cannabis, the volume of which was not quantified.
“We continue to investigate the destination of this weaponry, which is already included in the case that was sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for subsequent procedures”, said Mateus Mindu.
The police spokesperson added that this is the second seizure of war weapons involving foreigners this year in Manica province, Lusa reports.
The first case would have occurred at the beginning of this year, in Machipanda, the main land border between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, where an AKM and a large quantity of explosives were seized, which were supposedly to be used in illegal mining.
On that occasion, a Mozambican and a Zimbabwean citizen were arrested and brought to justice.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
