The Centre for Public Integrity, a Mozambican non-governmental organization (NGO), warns of attempts to close the case linked to the alleged network of sexual exploitation of female inmates in Maputo prison, two years after complaints were made to the contrary..

"A week ago, we received information from the lawyer in charge of the case that there is an attempt to close the case," Egas Jossai, a researcher at the Center for Public Integrity (CIP), told Lusa in mid-2021.

A CIP investigation has exposed the existence of an alleged prostitution ring in which prison guards at the Special Penitentiary Establishment for Women in Maputo forced inmates out of jail to prostitute themselves.

It should be remembered that following the complaint, the Ministry of Justice set up a commission of inquiry, which concluded that inmates had been sexually abused by prison guards and "outsiders", but that the cases took place inside the prison.

Although a total of 40 jail employees are facing criminal charges and the prison's management has been replaced, the CIP warns of alleged attempts to dismiss the case, noting that although the government has deployed only women to provide security in the women's pavilions, other cases of human rights violations may be taking place.

"The exploitation didn't just take place outside, the guards themselves abused the inmates. We have no way of knowing now if it doesn't continue to happen inside the prison, we only know that outside the prison it doesn't happen anymore," said the CIP investigator.

In the final report of the commission set up by the government to investigate the case, it was concluded that the sexual abuse in the prison was carried out by prison guards and "outsiders", who entered the prison at parties held at the weekend or on public holidays, with the complacency of senior prison officials.

"In other cases, the agents demanded sex in exchange for food, drugs or promises of privileged treatment," added the document presented two years ago.

The report also added that inmates reported several cases in which they were forced to have abortions after relationships with prison guards, some of which the committee described as "apparently consensual", although based on threats.

"Most of the inmates have become pregnant more than once and have been forced to have abortions, using the services of the nurses assigned to the prison," said the document, which suggested a specific legal instrument to penalize guards who get involved with inmates.

According to figures released in July 2021, the Special Penitentiary Establishment for Women in Maputo housed a total of 96 inmates, spread over eight cells, each with a capacity for 20 people.