This morning, the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) foiled an alleged kidnapping attempt at the CMondego Group building on Avenida de Palmar in Maputo city.

The police action resulted in the immediate arrest of between three and five citizens. In fact, there is still no certainty on the matter.

According to witnesses, the individuals now in custody had been "camping out" in front of the CMondego Group building since the early hours of the morning.

It seems that SERNIC was already aware of the possible illegal action taking place there because, according to the witnesses heard by our reporter, the agents were also camped out in the area waiting for the time to act. "They even told the people here to leave. They said there would be confusion".

SERNIC fired more than ten shots into the air to stop the criminals, even inside the CMondego Group building, where one of the detainees had run to.

A witness said that he noticed the strange movement in the early hours of the day. He said he had heard the thieves talking about large sums of money that were due to be paid, even today, after so much work had been done.

"They were here and all they talked about was money. They said the money must come out, it must come out," said one of the witnesses who saw SERNIC's action.

The management of the CMondego Group did not want to speak to the press. The Police of the Republic of Mozambique, after a meeting with Mondengo Group officials, simply said that they were still investigating what had happened.

"We don't know anything. We want to know too," said one of the agents.