INSS RETURNS TO THE CENTER OF THE SCANDAL: Joaquim Siuta's arrest reignites the Mazoio case

The recent arrest of the Director-General of the National Social Security Institute (INSS), Joaquim Siuta, which took place on Monday (06), once again sheds light on one of the institution's most controversial cases, the involvement of the former Chairman of the Board, Francisco Mazoio, in the process linked to the company CR Aviation.

Francisco Mazoio was arrested on August 16, 2019, as he was preparing to travel to the province of Tete, as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the granting of INSS funds to the airline CR Aviation, owned by the late businessman Rogério Manuel.

In the same operation, Baptista Machaieie, then director-general of INSS, and Miguel Ângelo Curado Ribeiro, former director-general of CR Aviation, were also arrested.

At issue was the allocation of 84 million meticais – at the time approximately 1.4 million dollars – for the purchase of four aircraft. According to the Central Office for Combating Corruption (GCCC), the funding was granted without adherence to legal procedures, including the absence of oversight from the Administrative Court, the lack of a repayment plan from CR Aviation, and the absence of a resolution from the INSS Board of Directors.

The Public Prosecutor's Office accused those involved of abuse of office or function, simulation, and embezzlement, arguing that Mazoio and Machaieie violated the law by approving the financing.

However, in March 2020, the court decided to acquit Francisco Mazoio and Miguel Ângelo Curado Ribeiro, sentencing only Baptista Machaieie to eight years in prison.

Francisco Mazoio, who became Chairman of the Board of Directors of INSS (National Social Security Institute) on the recommendation of the Organization of Mozambican Workers (OTM), would pass away in 2024, a victim of illness.

Source: Mozambique Letter