The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) revealed yesterday, Tuesday (20), that it had arrested four individuals aged between 19 and 28 for allegedly murdering a 34-year-old female employee of the Tete Provincial Directorate of Land and Environment.

According to the SERNIC spokesman in Sofala, Alfeu Sitoe, the crime was committed in the district of Dondo, Sofala province, where the victim had gone on the 16th of this month to meet N. Armando, 25, one of the accused, whom she had met on Facebook and who had promised her marriage.

"The unsuccessful girl was met at around 10pm by her fake boyfriend and one of his accomplices, Q. Fato, and was taken to a vacant lot where three other alleged criminals were stationed. There she was sexually assaulted. One of those involved then suffocated her to death," explained the SERNIC spokesperson.

Quoted by Sunday newspaperAlfeu Sitoe also said that the accused had taken the deceased's belongings, especially three thousand meticais, a cell phone and a wristwatch.

"The body was abandoned at the scene of the crime, with no clothes on. The investigations have concluded that the group has already claimed six victims in collusion with a lady who, posing as a prophetess, lured women via Facebook for treatment," the source added.

(Photo DR)