The sixth section of the Maputo City Judicial Court decided this Wednesday to clear eight of the 19 defendants involved in the financial default on the Mozambican state known as undeclared debts (Hidden Debts).

Judge Efigénio Baptista granted freedom to Cidónio José Sitóe, Cremildo Jossias Mandlate, Banda Anabela Buque Hennings, Kissiaji Pochant, Simione Jaime Mahumane, Naimo José Quimbine, Elias Moiane and Julficar Ali Ismael Ahmad.

"The court concluded that everything that was shown in the case file did not prove that the essential elements of the type of offense of which they were accused had been verified. For the foregoing reasons, the sixth section of the Maputo City Judicial Court acquits the defendants, who are sentenced to peace and freedom for not having committed any offense," said Efigénio Baptista.

On the seventh day of the reading of sentences, the CCJ has convicted the other 11 defendants implicated in the case. However, the judge said that for the crime of embezzlement there were gaps in the application of the penalties and suggested revising them.