Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Chinese embassy has called on Mozambican authorities for greater protection for its community, after a robbery led to the death of a Chinese man in central Mozambique, the embassy said in a statement.
According to the embassy, the victim died after being the target of a robbery with violence during the night last week in Beira, the capital of Sofala province.
The embassy said that as soon as it heard of the incident it contacted the director general of Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Domingos Jofane, and the Mozambican Interior Ministry.
The Chinese diplomats urged the police to pay close attention to the case and strengthen investigative efforts so that the alleged murderer is punished severely.
The embassy promised that it will continue dialogue with the authorities, demanding that they take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and the property they hold.
Cases of violent crime, including robberies and kidnappings, have frequently occurred in Mozambique, the Chinese embassy said in its statement.
The Chinese should increase precautions, including installing security systems at home and in businesses and shops, and not carry with them large amounts of money or valuable goods, the embassy recommended.
Mozambique’s main cities are cyclically plagued by kidnappings, which mainly target businessmen and their family members, with 16 cases and criminal cases registered in 2020 alone.
Some of the cases have police officers as defendants, including investigators, and according to reports rarely confirmed by the authorities, kidnap victims are released upon payment of large ransoms.
The SERNIC announced on 11 August the expulsion of 11 officers from the institution for involvement in kidnappings, robberies and criminal association in the first half of the year, assuring that it is in the process of cleaning up its ranks.
Kidnappings and terrorism are a brake on investment in Mozambique, the chairman of the Planning and Budget Commission of the Mozambican parliament said on 17 August.
“There is no investor that is going to put his money in, as long as the idea prevails that Mozambique is an insecure country,” António Niquice said in an interview with public broadcaster Rádio Moçambique.
