Maputo — The Mozambican Public Prosecutor's Office intends to question Interior Minister Almerino Manhenje later this week in connection with the illicit release, on 1 September, of Anibal dos Santos Junior ("Anibalzinho"), one of the men accused of the November 2000 murder of the country's top investigative journalist, Carlos Cardoso.

According to Monday's issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax", the decision to question Manhenje follows claims made by some police officers during the inquiry into the disappearance of Anibalzinho. They alleged that Manhenje was one of those responsible for releasing Anibalzinho from the Maputo top security prison. If evidence is found that Manhenje was indeed complicit in the release then the minister may face criminal charges.

Manhenje will be questioned by one of the Assistant Attorney-Generals, Rafael Sebastiao.

"Mediafax" also reports that Sebastiao's movements have been followed by unidentified individuals using a black Mercedes-Benz without number plates.

A source in the Attorney-General's office told the paper that last Saturday night, there was an apparent attempt to ambush Sebastiao in front of his house. When Sebastiao's car attempted to leave his drive, the black Mercedes blocked the exit.

However, the person driving the car was not Sebastiao, but his wife. When those in the Mercedes realised this, they reversed, and let the car leave. Nonetheless, the black Mercedes followed Sebastiao's wife for some time before giving up.

Prominent attorneys have every right to be worried about their personal safety. On 18 December, a gunman attempted to murder another of the assistant attorney-generals, Isabel Rupia, and only failed because the gun jammed.