The consulate general of Portugal in Maputo has been strengthening the security of its facilities, official source told Lusa this Monday, commenting on new measures announced to users of the services provided there.

For two weeks now, those who use that space have had to leave their mobile phone in a locker at the entrance and, before that, there has been a screening of visitors with metal detector, reflective film on the windows and armed police permanently in the initiated.

The consulate general clarifies that it has made a “security enhancement” for “create as conditions for the normal exercise of their activities (…), both for users and employees”, but without any comment linking to an abduction that took place outside the building on Mao Tse Tung Avenue in April.

A 49-year-old woman with Portuguese nationality was abducted on April 13 by armed defendants who intercepted her as she left the premises, where she had gone to deal with the renewal of documents.

The victim, a partner in a development with activity in the hotel business, returned to her family in Nampula after 45 days in captivity, with details of the release unknown.

The same source at the consulate said that the security reinforcement is being carried out in coordination with the Portuguese embassy in Maputo and with the competent Mozambican authorities, “in the context of the regular process of updating the measures in force in Portuguese diplomatic and consular missions”.