Another businessman of Asian origin was kidnapped last night, Monday (22), by five individuals, three of whom were armed. The victim was kidnapped inside his business premises, from where he was dragged to the getaway car where the other two criminals were.

This kidnapping took place less than 72 hours after the last one on Saturday (20), when a Mozambican citizen of Asian origin was ambushed by three armed men outside a commercial establishment on Avenida Eduardo Mondlane, in the Alto-Maé district.

A publication in the newspaper "The Country" says that at the scene, the criminals took hostages, including the owner of the store, and dragged him outside, where two more men were waiting in a getaway car.

Meanwhile, the police say that investigations are underway not only to clarify this kidnapping, but also that of last Saturday, when one of the victims was killed.

This is the third kidnapping reported in Maputo in the last two months. The last one took place in June.

Last May, SERNIC arrested three individuals accused of involvement in the crime of kidnapping. They are an individual involved in two kidnappings, which took place in November and December last year, and two citizens, allegedly members of the PRM, who were neutralized during the operation to rescue an eight-year-old child, kidnapped in Maputo in the same month.

This year alone, there have been five cases of kidnapping in Maputo and two unsuccessful attempts, a scenario that reveals the criminals' appetite for the kidnapping industry, which continues to sow fear in the business class, while the Anti-Kidnapping Brigade promised by the Executive is not operational.

(Photo DR)