Maputo — A Mozambican police officer was shot dead at about 01.00 on Sunday morning, in the Maputo neighbourhood of Magoanine.

The policeman, a sub-inspector named Octavio Manguele, was ambushed while driving through Magoanine. The murderers halted his car, ordered him out, and shot him at least 14 times, leaving the bullet-riddled body lying in the street.

According to a report in Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", there were two other people in the car, who were apparently unharmed.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Maputo city police spokesperson, Arnaldo Chefo, said the motive for the murder is not known. He said the killers made their getaway in two vehicles.

Chefo said that, over the previous week, the police recorded 44 crimes in Maputo, including two murders, and detained 58 people on suspicion of a variety of offences, including robbery and rape.