Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Chief of General Staff of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), Gen Joaquim Mangrasse, has admitted there are criminal and disciplinary proceedings under way against some soldiers in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
He was speaking to reporters in Maputo on Wednesday, after the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique” had reported the arrest of 30 soldiers in Cabo Delgado on suspicion of taking part in the looting of banks in the town of Palma, after the terrorist attack of 24 March.
Three banks – the Palma branches of the Millennium-BIM, the BCI and Standard Bank – were looted, and it was reported at the time that soldiers had helped themselves to cash found in the wrecked banks.
According to “Carta de Moçambique” the soldiers’ bags were searched and anyone with more than 15,000 meticais (about 235 US dollars, at current exchange rate) in cash was detained. Some denied they were the owners of briefcases which contained more than 50,000 meticais.
During the Palma looting, more than 60 million meticais was stolen from the banks. It is not known how much of this was taken by the terrorists, and how much by others, including members of the armed forces,
Mangrasse did not comment specifically about the “Carta de Moçambique” allegations. He declared that “The mission of the FADM is to defend the country. Eventually, case by case, soldiers can respond to disciplinary or criminal proceedings”.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Catembe.
Asked about the supposed detentions, Mangrasse said “I think the authorities are taking the necessary measures so that we will continue to deserve respect”.
The FADM, he added, are committed to behaving “in a transparent manner, and we’re not afraid of this”. He took pride in the troops under his command.
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