Chasing out kidnappers

Good afternoon. Reports that a young boy who was kidnapped in the city of Maputo yesterday (see below) has been freed may point to increasing confidence on the part of the police in chasing after kidnappers. Shortly after midnight today, according to our information, the child was found in the municipal gardens in Marracuene district, just outside Maputo, about eight hours after he had been seized.

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Details of the case are still emerging, but the kidnapping attracted a vigorous and reasonably quick police response, with armoured cars sent out and vehicles being searched. Given the speed with which the child was set free, it is unlikely that the MZN6m ransom was paid; kidnapping operations typically take longer, especially when ransoms of this size are demanded.