Corruption continues to exact a heavy toll on Mozambique’s public coffers, with over 258 million meticais lost in just the first quarter of 2025, according to a new report by the Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption (GCCC).
This figure, roughly 4.1 million US dollars, reflects both the scale and persistence of fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of office across the country. The GCCC’s quarterly briefing revealed 334 new corruption cases added to a growing backlog, bringing the total to over 1,130—marking a 15 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
Among the most alarming cases was a VAT refund scheme in Tete province, in which a fuel company used counterfeit documents to defraud the state of over 81 million meticais. Though charges were laid and two individuals were sentenced to short prison terms, the GCCC has challenged the leniency of the verdict and the lack of asset seizures. Officials argue that such light penalties undermine efforts to deter financial crimes and fail to send a strong message to would-be offenders within both public and private sectors.
Notably, the GCCC also addressed a high-profile political accusation, dismissing claims that opposition leader Albino Forquilha accepted a bribe from the ruling Frelimo party to soften his stance on the contested 2024 election results. The anti-graft body ruled the complaint from civil society watchdog CDD as legally insufficient, citing a lack of clear evidence and specific details. As Mozambique heads further into an economically and politically sensitive year, the public’s growing demand for accountability and transparency will likely keep pressure on both the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to act decisively.