The former Minister of Labor, Helena Taipo, confirmed this Tuesday, in court, the occurrence of fraudulent schemes in the awarding of contracts and that led to the embezzlement of money from Mozambican miners in South Africa of National Institute of Social Security (INSS).

Despite assuming that acts of corruption occurred during her tenure, the former minister denies her involvement in any of the cases.

Taipo is in the dock, as a defendant, for alleged involvement in corruption cases that culminated with the embezzlement of more than 100 million meticais, from the miners' pension fund.

The former Minister endorsed explanations about the path given to the money to the then Director of Migration Labor, who is also in the dock.

"The Director of Migration Labor (Anastasia Zitha) is the one who can answer about it," said Taipo, asked about the reasons that dictated the detour of the funds.

However, Taipo recalled a contract valued at more than three million meticais for the supply of curtains and furniture, with the company of the wife of the other defendant in the case, who at the time was coordinator of miners' affairs.

Another contract has to do with providing million-dollar baskets during the holiday seasons.

"Until recently I was still getting paid," he revealed.

Regarding the contracts listed in the lawsuit, the former minister said they had to do with some kind of favoritism in the awarding of contracts to provide services to the ministry.

"My role and competencies in these processes were focused on enabling and approving the files," he said, without assuming any other responsibilities.

The hearing of the former Labor Minister continues today at the Katembe.