Chissano's son dies amid murder probe

The eldest son of former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano has died while under investigation for possible involvement in the 2000 murder of a journalist, state radio reported on Monday.

Nympine Chissano (37) was found dead on Monday in his home in the capital Maputo, Radio Mozambique said. It added that the cause of his death had not been established.

His father, who ruled Mozambique from 1986 to 2005, is travelling in Europe.

Mozambican authorities have been investigating Chissano’s son, a businessman in Maputo, since his name surfaced in connection with the gangland shooting of Carlos Cardoso, who was the African nation’s best-known investigative journalist.

Cardoso was slain while probing a $14-million embezzlement from the Commercial Bank of Mozambique. The journalist said he had uncovered a web of organised crime and political corruption tied to the scandal.

Two people tried in 2003 for the murder accused Nympine Chissano of ordering Cardoso’s assassination. He denied involvement.

Six people were convicted of the murder and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 23 to 28 years. - Reuters