A group of unknown citizens stole a suitcase from the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD) this morning on Avenida Mohamed Siad Barre, in front of the Francisco Manyanga Secondary School in Maputo city.

Information in our possession indicates that the crime took place at around 8.20am, when a white Mahindra double-cabin vehicle, supposedly belonging to the UCKG, was intercepted by a white Toyota Fortuner.

The sources heard by MZNews said that the four or so thugs opened the Mahindra's trunk and, having found nothing, broke one of the windows, threatened the driver with a pistol, opened the back door and took out the large suitcase.

A video we have seen shows the moment when at least two citizens left the Mahindra in the direction of the Toyota Fortuner.

The sources said that Toyota Fortuner had apparently been strategically positioned to wait for Mahidra for some time.

There were two people in the Mahindra, the driver and another citizen. The latter fled when the attackers smashed the car window.

They also said that this morning the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) went to the scene to investigate the situation.

The driver of the Mahindra waited at the scene for SERNIC to arrive and then removed the vehicle from the scene.

The UCKG is located on Avenida 24 de Julho, at the intersection with Av. Mohamed Siad Barre, its Cenáculo Maior, close to the crime scene.

​Updated at 14:35

The spokesman for the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, Leonel Muchina, confirmed the theft of around six million meticais. He also said that the criminals were armed with AKM-47 firearms.

"The incident was recorded. The victims weren't hurt in any way and they reported it," he said.