Mozambique: SERNIC presents another suspect arrested over murder of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso — Watch

The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) in Zambézia presented a 46-year-old man to the press on Wednesday, who is alleged to have been involved in the murder of the former Bishop of the Diocese of Quelimane, Dom Osório Citora Afonso, on 6 June 2026.

The man was detained on 29 October. His detention brings the number of people detained in connection with the case to six: two priests and a security guard, all linked to the diocese, and three civilians.

The individual, a former member of the Defence and Security Forces, was presented by the authorities alongside an AKM firearm, accompanied by a magazine and 23 rounds of ammunition. According to the police, the material could help clarify the case.

Domingos Barone, head of the Criminalistics Department at the Provincial Directorate of the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) in Zambézia, disclosed that the suspect was arrested on 29 October. According to SERNIC, the arrest of this suspect marks an important step in the investigation, as he is believed to be the alleged perpetrator who physically carried out the crime.

Former armed forces member and expelled border police officer

“He is a former member of the Armed Forces and a former member of the Border Guard Police who was expelled for various crimes. It is important to note that, following the analysis carried out, he is suspected of being the perpetrator who physically carried out the crime, using the AKM firearm presented here to kill the former Bishop of the Diocese of Quelimane on 6 June this year,” Domingos Barone said.

He further explained that, since the incident, the authorities had mapped out and begun following the suspect, monitoring his movements after evidence of his involvement in the crime had been found.

“This evidence was found on various devices seized from the accused currently in detention in connection with the case. According to the analysis carried out, after allegedly committing the crime, the accused buried the weapon and subsequently fled to Zambia, from where he returned two months later,” he said.

Barone further stated that there were other suspects alongside the current suspect who are now at unknown locations, and that operational work was under way to track them down and arrest them. He also said that the suspect in question had maintained friendly relations with one of the potential and principal suspects, the accused currently in detention who has been identified as a possible intellectual instigator of the crime.

“It has been established that the two maintained regular contact and met frequently, with money transfers taking place, particularly from May this year until the day before the crime was committed. Furthermore, a forensic examination of the suspect’s phone revealed evidence of involvement in illegal drug trafficking originating from the coastal area of Zambézia province, as well as other crimes,” he said.

The detainee appeared before the criminal investigating judge for an initial judicial questioning, following which the measure of remand in custody was imposed.

Suspect denies murder allegations and claims he was tortured

The suspect, however, denies any involvement in the crime and rejects the accusations against him.

“That is not true. I am here simply because, at 12 noon on the 28th, I was approached at my home by PRM officers carrying pistols. They grabbed me and started torturing me. If you want proof, you can open my shirt and you will see the marks. They tortured me until I fainted. They took me to the Fourth Police Station and then to Mocuba, where they showed me someone whom I confirmed I knew because he was a taxi driver who used to take me wherever I needed to go,” the suspect said.

He went further, stating that “it is a lie that I was in Zambia on the run. I did go to Zambia to trade in gemstones. I do not know the weapon, let alone the murdered Bishop. I cannot admit to a crime when I am being tortured,” he said.

The murder of Dom Osório Citora Afonso remains under investigation by the authorities, who are seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the crime and determine the responsibility of those who may have committed it.

By Jorge Marcos

Source: O País