Matalane — Over 1,400 policemen and prison guards graduated on Friday from Mozambique's Practical Police School, at Matalane, in the southern district of Marracuene.

1,161 policemen and women and 303 prison guards, who had begun their training in May, concluded the course successfully. In a closing ceremony thy displayed some of the skills they had learned, and swore an oath of loyalty before the national flag.

Interior Minister Jose Pacheco, who presided at the closing ceremony, told the graduates they now had the "noble task" of guaranteeing public order and security. They should always remember that they had sworn to serve the people with dedication and zeal, and in strict observance of the law.

He urged them to ensure that their behaviour was spotless, and to avoid any illicit practices incompatible with police activity. They should be prepared to work in any police unit anywhere in the country.

This new influx into the police force, Pacheco told reporters, "will allow us to operate better across the national territory. We will have a better police presence on the public highway".

But not all those who started the course completed it. 56 failed - many of whom were expelled when it was discovered that their diplomas, supposedly showing that they had passed 10th grade of basic education, were forgeries/