1 February 2008
Maputo — Four labour inspectors in the central Mozambican province of Manica have been arrested, on suspicion of pocketing the money from fines, reports Friday's issue of the independent weekly "Savana".
The four include Orlanda da Costa, who was secretary of the Manica labour inspection department. Her position made it easier for the group to falsify receipts for the fines levied.
A source in the Manica Provincial Labour Directorate told "Savana" that the four helped themselves to over 115,000 meticais (about 4,800 US dollars) from the fines paid by at least six companies.
The four inspectors demanded that the companies fined pay the money directly to them, instead of depositing the money in the inspection department bank account, which is the correct procedure.
The Provincial Labour director, Mouzinho Carlos, said the four were detained after an investigation into why there was a sharp decline in the money raised from fines. Thorough checks revealed the theft, and led to the detention of the four. Two are in jail, while the other two have been released on bail while they await a date for the trial.
Carlos said the investigation and detentions were intended to send a clear signal that the Mozambican state will not tolerate such abuse of position.
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