One by one, the main defendants convicted in the so-called “hidden debts” case—considered the largest corruption scandal in Mozambique’s history—are beginning to be released after serving half of the sentences handed down by Judge Efigénio Baptista on December 7, 2022, according to a report published Monday, May 19, by the Carta de Moçambique news portal.
The defendants, who were arrested between February and March 2019, received sentences ranging from 10 to 12 years in high-security prison. As time passes and legal requirements are met, the process of releasing them is underway, starting with those serving the shortest sentences.
Cipriano Mutota: The First to Be Released
According to the report, Cipriano Mutota, former head of the Studies Office of the State Information and Security Service (SISE), was the first to leave prison, benefiting from parole. Mutota had been sentenced to 10 years in prison and is described as the whistleblower of the scheme, after being excluded from the bribe-sharing arrangement involving naval company Privinvest.
He reportedly received around 62.72 million meticais (USD 980,000), which he used to buy seven trucks (later sold), a home in Mapulango (Marracuene district), and to invest in sesame farming.
His release comes shortly after the Supreme Court accepted an appeal submitted by lawyer Abdul Gani Hassan on behalf of Ângela Leão, requesting her release on the grounds that she had already served half her sentence.
Fabião Mabunda Follows
On Friday (May 16), Fabião Mabunda was the next to be released. Sentenced to 11 years in high-security prison, Mabunda acted as a “front man” for the couple Gregório and Ângela Leão, receiving on their behalf 569.6 million meticais (USD 8.9 million). The amount was invested in multiple real estate properties across Maputo, Boane, Quelimane, and Ponta do Ouro, as well as in architecture and construction services.
As compensation for his services, Mabunda reportedly received about 17.5 million meticais, which he used to purchase a backhoe. He was arrested in March 2019.
Ângela Leão Set to Be Released
The release of Ângela Leão, wife of former SISE director-general Gregório Leão, is scheduled for this Monday (May 19). Sentenced to 11 years in high-security prison, she is the last defendant who remained in custody. She is part of the so-called “hard core” group of defendants, which includes Gregório Leão, Bruno Langa, Armando Ndambi Guebuza, Teófilo Nhangumele, and António Carlos do Rosário—none of whom benefited from parole in 2021.
Her release marks another milestone in the unfolding of a case that has dominated public debate for six years and continues to raise questions about justice, impunity, and asset recovery.
Who’s Next?
Following the release of those sentenced to 10 and 11 years, the next group expected to be released in the coming months includes those serving 12-year sentences, such as António Carlos do Rosário, Gregório Leão, Armando Ndambi Guebuza, Teófilo Nhangumele, and Bruno Langa. This group will have completed six years in prison by February 2025, equivalent to half of their sentences.
Compensation and Asset Recovery
In addition to the prison sentences, the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested that the defendants compensate the state in the amount of approximately 185.6 billion meticais (USD 2.9 billion), plus legal interest accrued from the time of the offences to the execution of the sentence.
According to the indictment, the defendants illegally pocketed over 6.4 billion meticais (USD 100 million), which was spent on luxury cars and properties in Mozambique and abroad, as well as on travel, personal luxuries, and charitable donations.
However, to date, the exact amount recovered by the state in this case remains unknown. Although the Public Prosecutor’s Office annually announces global asset recovery figures, it does not provide specific data regarding the hidden debts.
Source: Diário Económico
