MBOMBELA – A professor and political analyst in Maputo was kidnapped and shot earlier this week. A trend of kidnapping wealthy businessmen and their family members and making exorbitant ransom demands, has been plaguing Mozambique since 2011.
However, Mr José Jaime Macuane’s was vastly different, as he was released shortly after being taken, with no ransom demands made.
Mr Fernando Lima, editor of the Maputo-based Savannah, who appears with Macuane on a television programme, said he has visited his friend in hospital, and he appeared to be alright. “He seems quite relaxed.”
According to Lima, the kidnappers approached Macuane as he was leaving his home by car on Monday morning. They were dressed as police officers, and said Macuane must come with them as the car was stolen.
“Of course he knew that his car was not stolen, and he resisted.” They forcefully took possession of his car and drove off with him, accompanied by two other vehicles. Lima explains Macuane was beaten in the process, but sustained no serious head injuries.
There were four men in the car with Macuane, but he does not know how many were in the other vehicles. They blindfolded him and stopped in a small street on the outskirts of Maputo, about 20 kilometres from the CBD.
They forced him out of the car, made him lie down and fired four shots at his legs. The assailants apparently indicated that they had been “requested” to “get him limp”.
A passerby found Macuane and an actual police officer took him to the closest hospital in Marakwena. He suffered a badly fractured femur in his right leg, where he was shot with an AK47. He further sustained three minor gun shots in his legs and underwent surgery on Monday afternoon.
“The surgery went very well. He is recuperating and is in a very good condition,” Lima said. He added that Macuane has never had trouble before, and had no suspicions who the assailants may have worked for.
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