Four companies in the city of Maputo have escaped attempted fraud by citizens who forged documents and vehicles with fake Municipal Council identities (stamps, signatures and logos).

The unknown individuals demanded goods and products. At Académica Limitada they had already taken around 227 boxes of A4 paper; at BCJ África Serviços they intended to take eight generators, five compressors, 10 welding machines and 147 boxes of electrodes; at Livraria e Papelaria Maputo they intended to take boxes of A4 paper; at Moz Computer World of Technology they intended to take three printers.

However, the illegal work was thwarted because the companies reported the cases to the city council.

"Any service or supply of goods is subject to the rules and procedures that Mozambique's bidding regulations impose, through public tenders that we display in the most widely circulated newspapers, and the contract is signed once it has been approved by the court, and the award is also publicized. Therefore, these stages must be observed. All the agents with whom we may have a contractual link, for the supply of services or goods," said the Municipal Secretary, Euclides Rangel, stressing that the cases had been referred to the competent authorities to identify those involved.