Who ordered last week's shooting in Maputo?

It appears to be linked to kidnapping gangs, but different sides are blaming each other

Good afternoon. Speculation is rife this week in Maputo’s newspapers over who ordered the killing of a woman in a hair salon last week. Magazine Independente, out yesterday, suggests it was ordered by the family of a murdered kidnap victim; a source with insights into the kidnapping business, however, told Zitamar that that is highly unlikely. Today, Canal de Moçambique links the killing to the arrest in South Africa earlier this month of alleged kidnapping kingpin Esmael Nangy.

The fact that both theories have already been circulated on messaging apps and social media rather suggests that rival crime syndicates are now engaged in an information war, to push their own narrative of who is to blame for various crimes.

Sadly there is little evidence so far that Mozambique’s justice system will keep up — though next week should bring an extradition hearing for Nangy in South Africa. His case will be interesting to watch.

But the fact that Mozambique’s top security prison, the BO, is still holding three missionaries and humanitarians on trumped up terrorism allegations, does not inspire optimism in Mozambican justice. They should be released — or, if there is evidence of wrongdoing, charged — as quickly as possible.

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💥 Conflict updates:

17 January 2023: Muambula, Muidumbe district, Cabo Delgado
A clash between security forces and insurgents was reported in Muambula in southern Muidumbe. There are unconfirmed rumours of casualties.

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Today’s headlines:

• Rumours swirl over killing of kidnappers’ mother 

• Imprisoned American pilot leaves solitary confinement

• Mozambican government approves definitive public sector salaries

• Chinese company caught operating in bad working conditions

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News