Mozambique organ scam 'cover up'

A Brazilian missionary has accused local authorities in northern Mozambique of trying to cover up an alleged human organ trafficking there.

Maria Elilda dos Santos, who says she was forced to leave the country, said officials intimidated family members of alleged victims to silence them.

"There is a huge effort to cover up what is going on," she said in Lisbon airport, AFP news agency reported.

Mozambican officials deny there is any evidence of a trade in human organs.

They say their findings are based on an inquiry by the Mozambican attorney general's office of 14 case of violent death or disappearances allegedly linked to alleged organ trafficking in the northern province of Nampula.

Ritual murders have been reported in many African countries, as some witchdoctors say using human organs in magic charms makes them more powerful.

These are believed by some to bring financial or sexual success to those who use them.

'Intimidation'

"There is no co-operation on the part of government organisations," Ms dos Santos told reporters on her arrival to Lisbon from Mozambique.

Many Africans believe in traditional medicine

"The attitude on the part of the government at the local level is to intimidate the surviving family members of the victims," she said.

"This is very serious because it causes family members, who were seeking help from the authorities, to withdraw."

Earlier this week, she said she had had been forced to leave Mozambique after receiving a letter from the authorities in Nampula, demanding her to leave.

"I have suffered various methods of very strong pressure," Ms dos Santos - who worked in Nampula for nine years - told Portugal's Lusa news agency.

"I could no longer stay in Mozambique," she added.

Ms dos Santos was one of four missionary nuns earlier this year said they had exposed an organ trafficking network.

In February, Brazilian nun Doraci Edinger - who also had claimed that the trade in human organs was taking place - was found dead in front of her house after reportedly being strangled and beaten.

The authorities said her death was related to a financial scandal at her church, however Ms dos Santos said it was linked to the organ trafficking allegations.

"Sister Doraci knew too much and this is why they silenced her," she told Lusa.