An officer from the Maputo Republic Police (PRM) threw himself into the Matola River on Monday night after crashing his vehicle into the protective barriers of the bridge over the river.

The officer, identified as José Bahule, 38, was driving a Toyota Ractis model car with the license plate AHZ 982 MC and was heading in the Matola-Boane direction, reports Notícias.

After the crash, witnesses say that the officer got out of the car and threw himself into the river. It is thought that this was an act of passion, but investigations are underway to find out the truth.

The Public Salvation and River Protection authorities are working to find the policeman's body, according to the PRM spokesman in Maputo, Cláudio Ngulele.