Maputo, Dec 30 (NationPress) The government of Mozambique has created a commission of inquiry to look into the large-scale escape of inmates from two correctional facilities located in the capital, Maputo.

This incident involved 1,534 inmates escaping from the Central Prison and the Maximum Security Prison of Machava, referred to as B.O., leading to violent confrontations with the National Penitentiary Service personnel, resulting in at least 33 fatalities, as reported by the Xinhua news agency citing the state news agency AIM.

The commission has commenced its investigation with the objective of discerning the conditions surrounding the jailbreak, identifying any potential internal or external oversights, and assessing whether there was negligence on the part of security officials, as stated by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Filimao Suaze.

Suaze mentioned that the inquiry will also evaluate the casualties that arose during the current operation aimed at locating and recapturing the escaped inmates.

As per the deputy minister, approximately 280 prisoners have already been recaptured, with over 100 of them apprehended on Friday, aided by the cooperation of families and reports from the community regarding the escapees.

Suaze reiterated that a significant number of the fugitives returned voluntarily or were surrendered by their families, who reported the escapes upon noticing anomalies.

The deputy minister also refuted claims that the escape was a part of a premeditated scheme to eliminate the inmates, a theory that has circulated on social media. He clarified that the escapees, some of whom are classified as terrorists, are under surveillance and the police are dedicated to their recapture.

Suaze urged the community to maintain their cooperation with law enforcement in tracking down the escaped inmates, cautioning that the situation has instigated fear in various districts of Maputo.

While the commission has not established a timeline for the completion of its investigation report, the deputy minister expressed optimism for substantial advancements in the inquiry in the near future.