English translation of an article first published on 26 May 2025. References to “today” and the reform reflect the context of the original publication. Read the Portuguese original.
Today, the Assembly of the Republic approved a significant legal reform: the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) will come under the authority of the Office of the Attorney-General, ending its subordination to the Ministry of the Interior.
This is a structural change in the way Mozambique’s state institutions approach criminal investigation. SERNIC will operate as a judicial police service, with a stronger focus on legality and greater operational independence.
For years, SERNIC occupied an uncertain position between a police service and a paramilitary body, answering to the executive even where cases required complete impartiality. Under the new arrangements, its work will be directed by the Public Prosecution Service, with the aim of strengthening the technical and legal standards of investigations.
The proposal follows extensive institutional debate. In his recent report to the Assembly of the Republic, the Attorney-General argued for this transition, stating that tackling organised crime, corruption and cybercrime requires a specialised, autonomous and professional institution.
The new legal framework also introduces stricter criteria for appointments to SERNIC’s leadership. The Director-General and Deputy Director-General will be proposed by the Attorney-General and appointed by the Prime Minister. Candidates must be public prosecutors or professionals with recognised expertise in criminal investigation.
This reform brings Mozambique closer to international practice. Many countries organise their judicial police services outside the Ministry of the Interior to protect the separation of powers and the impartiality of sensitive investigations.
As a FRELIMO Member of Parliament, I see this change as an affirmation of the rule of law and of our country’s institutional maturity. We are building a justice system that is more effective, transparent and worthy of public trust.
Strengthening SERNIC’s autonomy is a practical step towards ensuring that criminal investigation serves truth and justice, free from other interests. Mozambique benefits from institutions that work together and remain committed to the public interest.
Egidio G. Vaz Raposo