Nivaldo Thierry, a police officer from the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and fashion designer, is taking legal action against a mother and her daughter, accusing them of the crime of using false marks, stamps or seals, which is punishable under article 334 of the Penal Code.

The complaint dates back to March 2024, when the mother bought clothes in downtown Maputo and gave them to her daughter. The clothes were used in a photo shoot and the resulting images were later published on the young woman's WhatsApp status.

Shortly afterwards, a former colleague contacted her, informing her that Nivaldo Thierry wanted to talk to her about the publications.

The information was confirmed when the designer himself called her, asking where and how the clothes had been purchased. The young woman referred him to her mother, as she was the one who had made the purchase.

Nivaldo Thierry then contacted the mother, asking for clarification and later asking for the clothes to be handed over. Hours later, he called again, demanding that the clothes be destroyed and that the photos published be deleted.

About a month later, the mother and daughter received a phone call asking them to come to the 6th PRM Police Station with the items in question. There, they reported, they were pressured to name the seller and the place of purchase, under threat of being detained.

The case is now going through the courts, but it raises debates about the influence of the social and institutional position of the parties on the functioning of justice in Mozambique. (CDD)