What You Need to Know
In a significant operation, seven officials from Mozambique's Ministry of Finance were detained on corruption allegations. The arrests occurred at the ministry's headquarters in Maputo, following investigations into commission payments related to public procurement. The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and aims to address corruption within the ministry, which has faced scrutiny
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Seven Ministry of Finance officials were detained in a surprise operation this morning at the institution’s headquarters in Maputo on suspicion of corruption.
The detainees were removed from the building under custody and placed in a police vehicle, in an operation that brought the surrounding area to a standstill. The action resulted from coordinated work between the country’s main law enforcement and investigative bodies, namely the Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption (GCCC), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM).
The officials were detained as part of investigations into commission payments in public procurement and the supply of goods, a source from the Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption (GCCC) told Carta de Moçambique.
“The detentions at the Ministry of Finance are related to the Treasury process opened at the GCCC, which concerns commission payments for the release of financial quotas linked to the payment of invoices in public procurement and the supply of goods,” the source told Carta de Moçambique
The Carta source added that searches and seizures are still underway at the premises of the Centre for the Development of Financial Information Systems (CEDSIF), an entity under the Ministry of Finance, targeting senior officials who are members of the board of directors, suspected of involvement in corruption, payment and/or misuse of state funds.
MBC TV, which is also following developments at the scene, confirmed that the operation aims to dismantle networks undermining the integrity of public funds within the strategic institution.
This new scandal recalls recent events. In December last year, officials from the same institution were detained, accused of involvement in schemes involving commission payments in Value Added Tax (VAT) refund processes and the payment of state debts to suppliers of goods and services.
The practice of demanding “kickbacks” to speed up payments to suppliers has been one of the main focuses of investigations by Mozambican judicial authorities in recent months.
So far, the ministry’s leadership has not officially commented on this morning’s detentions. Authorities continue to carry out further inquiries on the ground to trace the flow of diverted funds.
Corruption has been a persistent issue in Mozambique, particularly within government institutions. Recent investigations have revealed widespread practices of demanding kickbacks for expedited payments in public procurement processes. This latest operation reflects ongoing efforts by Mozambican authorities to combat corruption and restore integrity in public financial management. The Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption has been at the forefront of these investigations, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges.
