Authorities refute reports that timber seized in Mocímboa da Praia has gone missing

AQUA and PPRNMA clarify that the seized product is under custody and control, contradicting news published this Friday.

The National Agency for Environmental Quality Control, Public Institute (AQUA, IP), in coordination with the Police for the Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (PPRNMA), seized, on September 27, 2026, in the Zalala neighborhood, in the town of Mocímboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado province, 9,117 planks of native wood, corresponding to 547.02 cubic meters.

The seizure resulted from intelligence operations by the environmental enforcement agency, aimed at combating the illegal logging, transport, and sale of forest resources, within the framework of protecting the country's natural heritage. The timber, consisting of native species classified as precious, was stored in residential backyards located in the beach area, awaiting loading onto barges destined for the neighboring United Republic of Tanzania.

Within the scope of the process, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Cabo Delgado appointed the District Service of Economic Activities of Mocímboa da Praia, represented by Neves Malueca Uahova and his legal substitute, Rogério Alfredo Mutacate, for the purposes of inventorying, extracting samples, safekeeping, and control.

This procedure was preceded by a storage process initiated by the District Administrator, during which 1,600 planks were moved from the seizure site to the facilities of the District Planning and Infrastructure Service (SDPI), leaving the site without space to store the remaining 7,517 planks. Faced with this situation, the District Government identified a warehouse located inside the barracks of the local Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) to house the remaining timber. Transport to the new location has already begun and has the logistical support of the National Fund for Sustainable Development (FNDS).

The authorities became aware of the publication, by the newspaper Notícias this Friday, of information reporting the alleged disappearance of seized timber. Following the investigations carried out, the District Government confirmed the existence of the timber, having provided undifferentiated photographic images to prove the facts.

Just yesterday, October 16th, the District Administrator and the District Commander of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique were on site, accompanied by officers from the force, teams from AQUA Central, Provincial and Local, SERNIC and the Director of SDAE.

The authorities clarify that the information regarding the disappearance of the seized timber in Mocímboa da Praia is false, reiterating that procedures for packaging, storing, and controlling the seized product are underway.