The National Penitentiary Service of Mozambique (SERNAP) announced today (02), the recapture of 322 inmates out of a total of 1534 who escaped on December 25, from the maximum security prisons of Machava and Maputo province.

In a statement released today, SERNAP said it was "intensifying operations to recapture the fugitives".

The searches are being carried out with the collaboration of other Defense and Security Forces, in particular the military, who are scouring the neighborhoods in the hunt for escaped prisoners.

According to SERNAP, the escaped prisoners were serving sentences for various crimes, including terrorism-related actions, murder, robbery, drug trafficking and other serious offenses, and the sentences range from five to 25 years in prison.

"The fugitives include highly dangerous individuals," SERNAP said, appealing for the public's cooperation in providing any information that could help recapture the prisoners.

(Photo DR)