Combating corruption
Combating corruption
The Nyusi presidency has made some high profile prosecutions, but other cases remain unpunished
Good afternoon. The number of cases of corruption prosecuted has increased markedly during Filipe Nyusi’s presidency, compared to under his predecessor Armando Guebuza, according to an analysis published last December by the anti-corruption think tank CIP.
CIP’s conclusion appears to be that this shows corruption increasing, and that anti-corruption measures need strengthening; an alternative interpretation would be that it shows the effects of a stronger stance against corruption.
Today brought news of another high profile case, with the former director of INATTER, the road transport regulator, arrested along with colleagues on a number of corruption allegations.
The day has also brought sad news of the death of Selina Titosse, another former senior civil servant, convicted of corruption in 2017. Titosse was awaiting a final decision on her appeal, but the indications were that she would not be successful.
But other obvious cases of corruption are still going unpunished. Zitamar editor Tom Bowker wrote for Vice News in 2021 that $300,000 in apparent kick-backs had been paid in relation to the Dugongo cement plant project, to the then Mozambican Ambassador to China for further distribution in Frelimo and government. The ambassador, Antonio Inacio Junior, has as far as we know never been investigated over the case, and is now a senior official inside the foreign ministry.
The project that his corruption helped make happen is now making excuses for not having been able to rehouse the community it kicked off their land over a decade ago — using the laughable excuse that the cement company cannot secure access to building materials (see below). A problem that a sum like $300,000 would no doubt be able to make go away.
Agenda:
Today: Birthday of President Filipe Nyusi, turning 64
His birthday party is being held at the Pemba Beach Hotel
From the Zitamar Live Blog:
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The cities of Maputo and Matola have been hit by heavy flooding, following heavy rains falling since Tuesday
Ana Paula Simões, former head of the then road transport regulator INATTER, has been arrested as part of an investigation by the Central Office for Combating Corruption
Also in the news:
No grounds for choosing next president on the basis of region, says Hama Thai
Police detective shot dead in Maputo province
Dozens of families still left homeless by Maputo cement plant
Setina Titosse, convicted of corruption, dies at 57
Rwanda ratifies extradition agreements with Mozambique and Angola
Mozambican transporters choose "more expensive" route to South Africa for fear of attacks
Urgent public works could start soon in northern municipalities
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