The Provincial Anti-Corruption Office has opened proceedings against the Permanent Secretary of Inhassoro district, in Inhambane, and four other officials, accused of involvement in a corruption scheme that is alleged to have damaged the Mozambican state by around 10 million meticais.

According to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Office, José Matsinhe and his cronies are alleged to have been involved in favoritism and under-invoicing schemes in the contracting of companies to carry out works and provide services to the state in the district of Inhassoro.

The scheme was uncovered after an audit carried out in 2021, referring to the 2018 - 2019 financial year. "The audit report concluded that there were strong indications of corruption, having instructed case no. 62/2021, which will go to trial in the next few days," reads a news release by the Radio Mozambique.

"In addition to the Permanent Secretary of the Government of Inhassoro and four other officials, four businessmen were also made defendants," explained José Manuel from the Provincial Office for Combating Corruption in Inhambane.