VZCZCXRO7637
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #0803 2380705
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250705Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9262
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0220

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000803 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, DS/DSS/IP, DS/DSS/CC, DS/IP/OPO, 
DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC MZ
SUBJECT: CRIME RATES STABLE, BUT VIOLENT CRIME IS UP 
 
REF: A. 07 MAPUTO 949 
     ¶B. MAPUTO 746 
     ¶C. MAPUTO 487 
 
¶1.  (SBU) According to law enforcement officials, crime rates 
in Maputo for July and August--traditionally a period of 
increased crime for the city (ref A)--have remained stable 
compared to the same timeframe in previous years.  However, 
anecdotal evidence suggests that these numbers may mask a 
change in the type of crimes being committed, as violent 
crime appears to be trending upwards.  Press reports indicate 
an increase in crimes involving weapons (especially guns), 
that were previously rare--in the past, criminals tended to 
use sheer numbers to overwhelm their victims.  As a part of 
this trend, there have been increased reports of carjacking, 
violent home invasions (ref B), and comprehensive robberies 
of all customers inside business establishments.  There have 
also been six kidnappings-for-ransom reported since just 
August 1, compared to none reported in the past two years. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Mozambican sociologist Carlos Serra told 
polspecialist on 8/15 that he sees a direct link between the 
return of 40,000 Mozambican nationals who fled xenophobic 
attacks in South Africa (ref C), and a change in the type of 
crime committed in Maputo, claiming that "crimes like 
kidnapping never occurred in Mozambique before."   Public 
opinion suggests as well that it is widely believed that 
returnees learned more aggressive and violent criminal 
behavior in South Africa. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) While Maputo police have promised a strong response 
to the increasingly violent crimes, their presence on the 
streets does not appear to have visibly changed and crime 
hasn't fallen.  For example, a local businessman's home 
(across the street from the Diplomatic Police Station and 500 
meters from the Chancery) was robbed by masked men wielding 
AK-47s last week.  The police did not respond when called to 
the scene, apparently due to the late hour (9:00 PM local). 
 
¶4.  (SBU) COMMENT and EMBASSY ACTIONS:  The general public 
may blame returnees from South Africa for recent violent 
crime, although jumps in the prices of food and 
transportation may be more significant drivers with rent, 
utilities, and fuel inflation above 10 percent, and 
subsidized fuel prices increasing in June by 17 percent 
alone.  Inflation combined with minimal increases in real 
wages for the few workers that are part of the formal economy 
likely play significant roles as well.  These factors have 
resulted in a growing discontent with the Guebuza 
administration, which has had a surprisingly muted response 
so far.  Aside from raising our concerns about the safety of 
our staff and families with law enforcement agencies, the 
Embassy held an all-hands town hall meeting on August 5 to 
discuss the best practices of home security, has directed the 
LGF contractor to increase vigilance at our properties, is 
hiring a residential security coordinator to oversee 
additional improvements, and has redoubled efforts to ensure 
community participation in weekly radio checks.  END 
COMMENT/ACTIONS. 
Amani