The former Director General of the State Information and Security Services (SISE), Bernardo Lidimba, lost his life during an operation to smuggle public money, according to the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD).

Citing various sources, including SISE, the non-governmental organization says that "Lidimba is allegedly transporting large sums of money, acquired illegally, to be stored across the border in Zimbabwe".

The origin and amount of the money remain uncertain, but the CDD says it could be money from toll revenues, "and other clandestine receipts, allegedly destined for high-ranking figures in the Mozambican state and the Frelimo party".

Possibly, the then Director General of SISE was carrying 10 suitcases containing large sums of money, seven in dollars and three in South African rand.

"In the fatal accident, eight of those suitcases exploded on impact, scattering money all over the place" and the alleged owner of the suitcases (a high-ranking Zimbabwean figure) ordered the rescue team to let the people pick up the money.

Lidimba died in a car accident on the afternoon of November 2, 2024, in Mapai district, in the north of Gaza province. He was the only victim of the accident, which occurred after the car he was following crashed and overturned. He died at the scene.

Also according to the CDD, Lidimba was allegedly not accompanied by figures who usually go with him on state missions. On the contrary, it is suspected that he was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Carlos Mesquita.

"Their presence makes the mission even stranger and more enigmatic," says the NGO, which calls for an "independent and in-depth investigation".