Two civil servants were arrested "red-handed" asking for money from workers in the sand and mine transportation business so that they wouldn't issue fines.

The information was released on Thursday by the Maputo Provincial Office for Combating Corruption (GPCCM).

According to the GPCCM, the investigation came about as part of a complaint involving two civil servants, one from the Moamba District Planning and Infrastructure Service and the other from the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control in Maputo province, who were arrested "in the middle of receiving money".

"According to the complaint, the accused requested money from two Mozambican drivers who operate in the area of sand and mine transportation, in order to avoid issuing fines for the exploitation of mining, wildlife and inert resources," the statement reads.

According to the office, "because there are strong suspicions of the commission of crimes of passive corruption for an illegal act and abuse of office or function", criminal proceedings have since been opened against both women.

Meanwhile, the two civil servants were brought before the criminal section of the Maputo provincial court and released on bail of 100,000 meticais.