Corruption scheme in healthcare sector leads to arrest of former provincial official in Nampula

Anti-corruption authorities in Nampula have arrested the former provincial director of Health, Francisco Mitano, in connection with a case related to the alleged embezzlement of approximately 22 million meticais intended for the construction of health facilities in that province.

In the same operation, an employee from the Health sector was also arrested, identified by investigators as a member of a group that operated in an alleged scheme to embezzle public funds associated with state-funded civil construction projects.

According to information released by the Provincial Office for Combating Corruption, the funds in question should have been used for the construction and rehabilitation of hospitals and health centers during 2022. However, part of the money is believed to have been diverted irregularly through fraudulent mechanisms involving public officials and companies contracted to carry out the works.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the scheme was based on validating projects with low levels of completion, issuing allegedly falsified reports, and signing contractual addenda considered unjustified, a practice that allowed for the artificial increase of the costs initially projected for the projects.

The statement from the authorities also mentions that several companies involved in the construction and supervision of the infrastructure received substantial payments even though the work carried out did not correspond to the amounts disbursed by the State. In some cases, the works were incomplete or practically paralyzed, despite the payments having already been made.

The authorities also believe in the existence of an alleged collusion between public officials and representatives of private companies, a situation that could lead to the expansion of investigations and the involvement of other suspects in the process.

The Provincial Office for Combating Corruption clarifies that criminal proceedings have already been initiated and are ongoing in the investigation phase, with inquiries underway to determine the true extent of the damage caused to the State and to hold those involved criminally responsible.

The case is generating strong repercussions in Nampula, especially because it involves funds destined for the health sector, considered one of the most sensitive for the population, at a time when challenges persist related to the lack of adequate health infrastructure and better care conditions in the province's hospital units.