Mozambique Struggles to Combat Kidnappings as South Africa Fails to Cooperate

The Attorney General of the Republic of Mozambique has revealed that the majority of kidnappings committed in the country are orchestrated from outside its borders, primarily in South Africa. In the annual report presented to the Assembly of the Republic, the Attorney General's Office highlighted the challenges faced in combating this type of organized crime due to a lack of cooperation from South African authorities.

According to the report, the masterminds behind most of the kidnappings reside in South Africa, making it difficult for Mozambican law enforcement to apprehend them. Over the past year, the Attorney General's Office submitted 20 requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance to South Africa, but has yet to receive a response. This lack of legal and judicial cooperation has hindered Mozambique's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Why this matters: The rise in kidnappings orchestrated from abroad poses a significant threat to the safety and security of Mozambican citizens. The lack of cooperation from South Africa undermines regional efforts to combat organized crime and highlights the need for stronger international collaboration in law enforcement.

Despite the challenges, Mozambique has made some progress in the fight against kidnappings. In 2023, there was a 53.3% decrease in the number of kidnapping cases compared to the previous year. The Attorney General's Office also emphasized ongoing efforts to sign an extradition agreement with South Africa, which would enhance cooperation in combating organized crime.

The Attorney General of the Republic of Mozambique stated, "The majority of the masterminds reside in South Africa, and legal and judicial cooperation with South Africa has not reached the necessary levels to combat this issue." The report serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for improved collaboration between the two nations to effectively address the problem of cross-border kidnappings and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Key Takeaways

• Majority of kidnappings in Mozambique orchestrated from South Africa
• Mozambique submitted 20 extradition requests to SA, but received no response
• Lack of cooperation from SA hinders Mozambique's efforts to combat organized crime
• Kidnappings pose a threat to Mozambican citizens, need for stronger international collaboration
• Mozambique saw a 53.3% decrease in kidnapping cases in 2023, seeks extradition agreement with SA