Maputo, May 18, 2026 (Lusa) - The president of Mozambique has called on the police to wage a relentless fight against corruption in the country, describing it as a “cancer” that is silently killing society, with several individuals implicated now facing justice.
“The police must fight, without mercy, this cancer which, for many years, has been silently killing Mozambican society,” said Daniel Chapo in Maputo, during the 51st anniversary of the national police on Sunday.
He also instructed the police and all institutions to carry out a vigorous clean-up campaign, identifying and punishing the corrupt in an exemplary manner.
"Where there is evidence, do not hesitate to punish the police officers who are involved in this or other types of crime, because we want the police to be a sanctuary for upholders of justice and not a den of criminals,” he said, adding that any officer who tarnishes the police uniform should be held firmly accountable and those who honour the uniform should be recognised, rewarded and promoted.
He highlighted the progress made in the fight against corruption, one of his government’s priorities, pointing out that there were many other individuals facing charges beyond those publicly announced in recent months.
“Some of those implicated in corruption have been reported in the press, but there are many others who have not been reported on, who are facing charges for this crime,” said Chapo, expressing “full support” for the sectors involved in anti-corruption operations.
In recent months, the authorities have announced the arrests of senior officials and others from various public institutions, including the national airline, social security and the finance ministry, who are suspected of involvement in corruption cases.
In April, the attorney general, Américo Letela, criticised the “normalisation” of corruption, saying that it fosters a culture of “tolerance of wrongdoing” in which crime is viewed as a legitimate means to achieve individual ends.
He also said that public officials in Mozambique committed 236 cases of financial offences in 2025, with the authorities ordering the repayment of over €5.6 million and imposing fines totalling €511,029.
Mozambique also launched, in April, the Intervention and Awareness Group, comprising nine members, to encourage citizens to participate in the fight against corruption and to promote safe reporting within communities, schools and public services.
LN/MYAL // AYLS
Lusa
