Maputo — The delegate of the Mozambican government's relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC) in Changara, in the western Mozambican province of Tete, Raul Agostinho, was arrested on Saturday, accused of stealing 199 bags of rice meant for victims of hunger, reports Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".

Changara, one of the Tete districts worst hit by drought, has about 45,000 people who are currently dependant on food assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) in cooperation with the INGC.

Changara district police commander Joao Sozinho said that the Criminal Investigation Police (PIC) is working on the case.

The theft is believed to have taken place between late December and January.

"The case has been handed to PIC for further investigations and there are rumours according to which the rice has been sold to local business people and to individuals in the district", he said.

For his part, Tete provincial PIC director Rossi Janela confirmed the arrest, saying that his men are working in Changara to try and locate the buyers and eventually recover as much as possible of the stolen product.

"It is a lot of rice; it is about 10 tonnes. The detention (of the accused) has been legalized by the attorney's office," he said.

The drought is so severe in Changara, a district once known for its cattle raising traditions, that many families have either been forced to sell their livestock at very low prices or transfer the cattle to other areas, due to the lack of pasture.