Justice for Egas Bié: Court sentences taxi driver's murderers to prison terms of up to 28 years in Matola

After months of waiting and profound grief for family and friends, the Maputo Provincial Court sentenced the six individuals involved in the brutal murder of ride-hailing taxi driver Egas Júlio Bié to prison terms ranging from 21 to 28 years. The court decision concludes a process that mobilized public attention due to the violence of the crime and the cruel circumstances in which the victim lost his life.

During the sentencing, the court found it proven that the crime was carefully planned by the main defendant, Arlindo, who used the transportation platform to request a ride with the aim of luring the victim into an ambush. According to the evidence presented during the trial, the defendant acted in coordination with other members of the group, having organized and led the criminal operation that culminated in the taxi driver's death.

For his decisive role in planning and executing the crime, Arlindo was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 28 years in prison. The remaining members of the gang received sentences ranging from 21 to 27 years, depending on their degree of involvement and individual responsibility as determined by the court.

During the trial, it was also proven that three of the convicted individuals directly participated in the torture and murder of Egas Bié. The court concluded that the defendants acted with extreme violence and without any show of remorse, subjecting the victim to moments of suffering before taking his life.

The homicide occurred in October 2025, in the municipality of Matola. At the time, Egas Júlio Bié, 35 years old, was working as a ride-hailing driver, an activity he carried out to support his family.

According to investigations conducted by the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), the criminals requested a ride through the digital platform and, during the journey, overpowered the driver. The victim was subsequently taken to an isolated location, where he was tortured and murdered.

Days later, Egas Bié's body was found abandoned, with his hands and feet bound, revealing signs of extreme violence. The images and information released at the time caused consternation among citizens and raised concerns about the safety of ride-hailing drivers.

The vehicle used by the victim was stolen by the criminals and put up for sale in an attempt to obtain financial gain. However, the investigative work of SERNIC made it possible to locate the suspects and gather evidence that supported the accusation presented by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

In addition to the perpetrators of the homicide, the court held criminally responsible the individuals involved in the sale of the stolen vehicle. Popularly known as "nhonguistas," these individuals were considered an integral part of the criminal network for having participated in the negotiation and sale of the property obtained through the crime.

According to the court decision, the actions of these individuals contributed to concealing evidence of the homicide and to obtaining economic benefits resulting from the criminal activity.

The reading of the sentence was attended by the victim's family, who received the decision with emotion and a sense of relief. Although they acknowledge that no sentence can compensate for the loss suffered, the family stated that the punishment of those responsible represents an act of justice and an important recognition of the suffering endured since the disappearance and death of Egas Bié.

“We lost a son, a brother, a father, and an honest worker. The sentence won't bring him back, but at least the guilty parties will answer for their actions,” a family member stated after the session ended.

Fellow drivers also considered the decision an important milestone in the fight against crime against ride-hailing drivers, advocating for more effective measures to ensure the safety of professionals in the sector.

The murder of Egas Bié remains one of the most striking criminal cases recently recorded in Matola. The way the crime was planned and executed exposed the vulnerability of professionals who work daily in passenger transport and reignited the debate about the need to strengthen protection and tracking mechanisms for drivers.

With the conviction of those involved, the authorities consider the judicial phase of the process closed. However, for the family and for those who followed the case from the beginning, the memory of Egas Bié will remain alive as a symbol of the fight for justice and the need for a permanent fight against violent crime in the country.