Maputo – The Mozambican Confederation of Business Associations (CTA) is sounding the alarm over the escalating kidnapping crisis in the country, claiming that most cases remain unsolved despite the government’s claims of progress.
CTA chairperson Agostinho Vuma painted a grim picture of the situation on Wednesday, revealing that the business group has recorded over 250 kidnappings since 2011, with business owners and their families, particularly those of Asian descent, being prime targets. Vuma expressed deep concern over the ongoing threat to businesses, highlighting the negative impact on investor confidence.
The CTA leader emphasized that while the government has recently paraded an alleged kidnapping mastermind – a 66-year-old woman linked to a notorious criminal figure – the problem persists. Vuma cited the alarming figure of 15 kidnappings in the first half of 2024 alone, with some victims still held captive.
Despite the challenges, Vuma urged businesses, particularly those of Asian origin, to remain in the country, emphasizing their Mozambican citizenship. The CTA has been actively engaging with the government to develop strategies to combat the scourge, and Vuma expressed optimism about the president’s commitment to addressing the issue.
However, the business leader also called for concrete economic measures to bolster investor confidence, including inflation control, interest rate reduction, exchange rate stability, and tax relief for businesses.
