The Muslim Association of Mozambican Businessmen and Entrepreneurs (AMEEM) says that the police authorities are not interested in solving the problem of kidnappings, which mainly affects Mozambicans of Indian origin.

"The criminals carry out their operations in broad daylight, armed with firearms, with their faces exposed, at ease, without fear of attacking anyone or of any repercussions they might trigger," AMEEM said in a statement.

AMEEM vehemently repudiates this type of crime as the police authorities look on. It also says that as well as causing physical and psychological damage to the victims and their families, it jeopardizes the country's socio-economic development.

"We demand that immediate and efficient measures be taken to guarantee a nation that can live in freedom, security and a minimum of citizenship, as fundamental and human rights are being jeopardized by the inertia of the competent authorities," reads the statement sent to MZNews.

AMEEM's statement comes after another member of the association was kidnapped on the 20th of this month, in broad daylight in Maputo city.

Muslims are also demanding the creation of the so-called anti-kidnapping brigade, promised by the government, and the restoration of police forces to combat this type of crime.

Photo DR