Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has decided to expel 11 crime investigation agents, for their involvement in several offenses, including aggravated theft and kidnapping.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Maputo, SERNIC spokesperson Leonardo Simbine said that, of the 11 officers, five were from the Maputo city office, five others from Maputo province and the last one from the central province of Tete. In Maputo province, there are four other officers who have been fined for their behaviour.
“SERNIC is ruthlessly pursuing and fighting every form of wrongdoing within its ranks as well as in society at large. We have zero tolerance,” said Simbine. He added that most of the 11 were expelled in July and earlier this month, after a thorough disciplinary procedure.
Simbine, who declined to give their names, declared however that their ages range between 20 and 40 years, and that they had served in criminal investigation for between one and 15 years. The disciplinary procedure that led to their sacking will be followed by criminal proceedings, but he declined to give any further comment.
Questioned about the frequent involvement of SERNIC agents in criminal activity, Simbine claimed that, while some criminal investigation officers take the wrong path, it is not fair to assume that every officer is an agent of crime.
“Every time we find out that a criminal investigation officer has been involved in wrongdoing, we will not hesitate to expel him from our ranks,” Simbine declared.
As for Monday’s failed attempt to kidnap a businessman on the streets of central Maputo, he said investigations are underway and as soon as relevant information has been gathered it will be shared with the public.
Social media comments claimed that some of the offenders were SERNIC officers, but he strongly denied this. Simbine asked those who spread such claims to collaborate with SERNIC, which will ensure their anonymity.
As for the recent major bank robbery in the central city of Quelimane, he said there are 10 people in police custody and over 10 million meticais (158,000 US dollars, at the current exchange rate) has been recovered from the thieves, but further investigations are still under way.
