Mozambique's National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has admitted the involvement of justice administration officials in kidnappings taking place in the country, mainly affecting businesspeople or their families.

We are concerned about the involvement of people from the family, business and friendship cycle, as well as some officials from the administration of justice who collaborate in the crime of kidnapping," said Nelson Rego, director general of Sernic, quoted by the Mozambican Information Agency.

SERNIC's director general also acknowledged the complexity of clarifying the kidnappings, mentioning the kidnappers' mode of operation and the "means and methods used in the ransom negotiation process".

In addition to kidnappings, Nelson Rego also pointed to the fight against money laundering, organized crime and terrorist financing as some of Sernic's challenges, with the aim of "getting Mozambique out of the grey area".

Maputo and other cities, especially the provincial capitals, have once again been the scene of a wave of kidnappings since 2020, mainly targeting businesspeople or their families.

Mozambique has recorded 13 kidnappings this year and 33 arrests in connection with the crimes, according to the latest figures from SERNIC.

The Attorney General, Beatriz Buchili, said in May that "some" police officers, investigators, lawyers and magistrates are suspected of involvement in the kidnappings, adding that the crimes have been increasing and that in some cases there are ramifications with South Africa. (Lusa)