The Central Office for Combating Corruption (GCCC) announced that, in the last six months, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) has recovered assets valued at around 128 million meticals (2 million dollars) in corruption cases. The information was released this Tuesday (6) by the institution’s spokesperson, as reported by Lusa.
“The procedural activity mentioned here is the result of the unofficial intervention of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, of the complaints received, as well as the articulation and collaboration of various public and private institutions in presenting relevant information,” said Romualdo Johnam, spokesman for the GCCC, during a press conference in Maputo, where he took stock of the activities of the first half of this year.
In total, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has recovered six properties valued at more than 126 million meticals and a car worth 1.3 million meticals. During this period, the agency processed 1,328 cases.
Among the cases is a fraudulent VAT refund scheme involving a fuel supply company and Tax Authority officials in Tete province. Four individuals were charged, including one who is in pre-trial detention. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the company fraudulently received 81 million meticals, facilitated by officials from the Tax Authority.
“In total, in the first half of this year, the Public Prosecutor’s Office recovered six properties valued at more than 126 million meticals and a car worth 1.3 million meticals. During this period, the agency processed 1,328 cases”
“From analysing the modus operandi, we identified critical weaknesses in the Tax Authority’s e-taxation and revenue collection systems, which, combined with weak regulation, created an environment conducive to fraud,” explained Romualdo Johnam.
The four defendants are accused of falsifying documents, abuse of office and function, aggravated fraud and money laundering.
According to the information, the recovery of assets by the Public Prosecutor’s Office reflects an ongoing effort to combat corruption in Mozambique, with the collaboration of various public and private organisations. “This action not only aims to punish those involved, but also to recover embezzled assets in order to reintegrate them into public assets, contributing to transparency and integrity in the public sector,” said the source.
