Maputo — The Mozambican Interior Ministry on Wednesday received police equipment worth 47,000 euros (about 65,000 US dollars) donated by the Portuguese government.

The equipment includes shields, helmets, truncheons, rucksacks, and belts, among other items.

At the ceremony, the ministry's permanent secretary, Zefanias Muhate, described the equipment as "an invaluable contribution for strengthening the government's capacity to put at the disposal of the police equipment needed to guarantee the defence of rights and freedoms of citizens and to ensure the safety of their property".

He said this complemented a programme between Mozambique and Portugal, under which 6,331 policemen, immigration officials and firemen have been trained.

The Portuguese ambassador, Mario Godinho de Matos, said he hoped that the equipment "will strengthen the operational capacity of the police in the fight against crime".