Mozambique police rescue 38 children from exploitation

Mozambican police have rescued at least 38 children and detained six suspects in connection with child exploitation and trafficking in the Nampula province over the last three months.

The most recent incident occurred on Saturday, August 29, at the Namina railway station in the Mecuburi district. Authorities intercepted two men attempting to board a train to Cuamba with 11 minors. Investigations revealed the children had been recruited in the Namina region to work on agricultural fields (machambas) in the Mandimba district of Niassa. One suspect claimed he was acting on instructions from a relative to find labor for corn and bean production, alleging he was unaware that recruiting minors for labor was a crime.

This follows previous interventions by the Mozambique Republic Police (PRM), including a case in Malema involving 20 minors and another in Nampula city involving seven children. PRM spokesperson Dércio Samuel has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.