The convicts in the so-called hidden debts case are refusing a transfer from the Língamo prison in Matola to the Civil Prison in Maputo, a proposal that has been put forward by the prison authorities.

The idea of the prison authorities, according to a publication in the SAVANA newspaperThe plan was to transfer all those convicted of hidden debts, who are in Língamo, to one of the houses inside the Civil Prison, but they prefer the Machava Penitentiary, known as the Central Prison.

Among other reasons for the refusal is that they argue that "it would be a great risk" for Ndambi Guebuza to cross paths with Zófimo Muiuane, who is serving a 24-year sentence in that prison for the December 2016 murder of Valentina Guebuza, daughter of the former head of state, Armando Guebuza.

At the moment, those convicted of hidden debts are awaiting a response from the prison authorities.

So far the motivation for the transfer is unclear. But a report on Tuesday by Letter from MozambiqueIn the wake of the demonstrations, the police say that the authorities fear a possible invasion of the prison and the subsequent release of the detainees. Following the post-election demonstrations, several prisons and police station cells were raided by alleged demonstrators and dozens of prisoners were released.

At Língamo, Ndambi Guebuza, Bruno Langa, Teófilo Nhangumele, Gregório Leão and António Carlos Rosário are currently serving sentences.

(Photo DR)