28-year-old woman murdered outside her home in Matola

·       PRM warns of increased violence against womenes

Minézia, a 28-year-old woman, was brutally murdered outside her home in the Patrice Lumumba neighborhood of Matola municipality while returning from work. The crime shocked residents of the area, considered peaceful and safe, and rekindled alarm about the growing violence against women in Maputo province.

The perpetrator of the homicide, a 20-year-old from Machava, was captured hours later by the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and is currently in custody. According to his own statement, he left home intending to drink alcohol with friends but ended up committing the crime. The suspect, who works as a construction worker and mechanic, confessed to attacking the victim with a sharp weapon, but claimed he could not explain the motive or clearly recall the moments leading up to the attack.

Witnesses reported that Minézia was seen already injured and bleeding, lying in the street. Some initially thought it was a fainting spell or minor assault, until they noticed a knife stuck in the victim's back, who no longer showed any signs of life. Neighbors and family describe the area as brightly lit and usually busy, which makes the crime even more disturbing. "It's hard to accept. My daughter came home from work alone every day, and there was never any problem," lamented a close relative.

The PRM expressed concern about the increase in murders of women, appealing to the public for their cooperation in reporting suspicious behavior. Authorities assure that the criminal case is ongoing and will be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office. This case once again raises questions about urban security, alcohol abuse, and the protection of women in Mozambique, demanding firm responses and more effective preventive measures from the State.