Six charged over Mozambique murder

Cardoso's brutal killing shocked Mozambicans

Six people have been charged with the murder of a leading journalist in Mozambique.

Carlos Cardoso, who was the founder and editor of the independent newspaper Metical, was shot dead in Maputo in November last year, when gunmen shot him dead after forcing his car to stop.

Mr Cardoso had been writing extensively about a massive bank fraud, in which $14m was siphoned out of the Commercial Bank of Mozambique in 1996 just before it was privatised.

The case has never been brought to court - and Mr Cardoso highlighted corruption in the attorney-general's office as being to blame.

Prominent businessman Ayob Abdul Satar and former bank manager Vicente Ramaya have been charged with contracting the killing.

Four men have been charged with carrying it out.

Cardoso

In 25 years as a reporter, Mr Cardoso gained a reputation as a crusading journalist.

Both main political parties in Mozmbique paid fulsome tribute to Mr Cardoso when he was killed

President Joaquim Chissano described his murder as "a very tragic death... committed by people who did not realise this man's huge contribution to the country".

Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the opposition Renamo party, was no less generous in his praise.

He said Mozambique had lost "a very serious journalist who always confronted facts".