By Paul Fauvet
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The number of people detained in connection with the murder on 5 June of the Catholic Bishop of Quelimane, Osorio Cicota Afonso, has risen from three to four, according to Wednesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”.
The fourth person arrested is a priest, but he has not yet been officially named. However, “Mediafax” ascertained that this priest has been working in the parish of Nicoadala, in Zambezia province.
The other priest, detained shortly after the murder, is Novais Amado, described as the main suspect. The two other suspects are a gardener and a security guard, neither of whom has yet been named.
“Mediafax” cited unnamed “sources connected to the case” as confirming the arrest of a second priest, but so for the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) has neither confirmed nor denied this.
Afonso had lived with four other priests in the official residence of the diocese. On the day of the murder, the bishop had dined with three of them, while the fourth, Novais Amado, had been absent.
The killers broke into the residence some time during the night and shot Afonso dead, apparently with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Suspicion fell upon Novais Amado since he did not raise the alarm at once, although he should have heard the gunshot.
Bishop Afonso had removed Novais Amado from his position as Chanceller of the Quelimane diocese, a post which he had held for the previous two years. During this period the diocese had been without a bishop, following the resignation of Hilario Massinga, on grounds of ill-health.
During those two years, Novais Amado was in charge of the administration of the diocese. In August 2025, shortly after he had been appointed bishop, Afonso ordered an audit of the diocesan finances, and it is suspected that this may have been among the motives for the murder.
A day after he had been removed from his post, Novais Amado, left Quelimane without informing the bishop, and returned the day after the murder.
He is also accused of providing alcoholic drinks for the security guard on duty in order to facilitate the entry of the gunman onto the diocesan premises. (PF)
