In a press conference, promoted this Tuesday by the SIC's general directorate, the national director of the fight against organized crime, commissioner of criminal investigation Pedro Lufungula, said that the institution has been following the situation with some concern, underlining that this information shared on social networks is exerting "a negative influence on the feeling of security of the populations.
Pedro Lufungula referred to cases, broadcast in recent days on social networks, including an audio, in which a woman reported an alleged kidnapping attempt of which she was a victim.
According to the person responsible, this audio doesn't offer data that allow for investigative actions, since the facts he reports were not seen by any police authority, nor did the victim file a complaint with the SIC. However, he said, steps are being taken to clarify this case.
Pedro Lufungula said that two videos reporting an occurrence on Avenida dos Combatentes, in Luanda, last week, which was interpreted as an attempted kidnapping or kidnapping, were a crime of theft, with three of the perpetrators being arrested and the vehicle used to commit the crime seized.
"It was not, therefore, an attempted kidnapping or abduction as announced in the video," he said.
Regarding the sharing of numerous photographs of alleged missing persons, the investigations carried out by the SIC have revealed that several cases refer to previous years and have already been clarified, and concern persons who have returned to their families.
"Several other situations given as missing persons have to do with the abandonment of residences due to disagreements within the family, i.e., violence, dementia, domestic violence, as well as for health reasons," he explained.
Pedro Lufungula also said that adolescents and young people have been reported missing when they were in environments with their boyfriends and friends and other companies, without the knowledge and authorization of their guardians.
"There are also several examples, such as the case of a young man who was reported missing, but who was detained, from January 4-14, for involvement in the commission of a crime, and is already in the family," he said, also indicating the case of a diplomat, reported missing, "when, in fact, due to family conflicts, he left his usual residence, after forming another home where he is living.
The national director of the fight against organized crime also pointed out that four other cases are being investigated, which should be clarified in the coming days.
In 2020, the SIC registered 332 reports of alleged missing persons. After the investigations, it was found that 271 cases were cover-ups of disappearance, "where the majority of young women, aged between 15 and 25, who were absent from their guardians' homes without their knowledge, stand out.
According to Pedro Lufungula, of the total number of cases, 32 resulted from negligence or lack of care on the part of the guardians regarding minors and the elderly, who were later found by members of the defense and security agencies who referred them to the centers for the reception of minors and nursing homes.
"There are still 29 cases of people reported missing, but who were victims of bodily harm on the public highway and road accidents, five of which resulted in deaths," he said.
With regard to the crimes of kidnapping, none has been recorded yet this year, but in 2020, there was one case, in June, already clarified and with a detainee, in which a citizen of Chinese nationality was a victim.
"With regard to the crimes of kidnapping, this month there was a case in which a 32-year-old Lebanese citizen was a victim, which took place in the vicinity of Talatona municipality, clarified, with a detainee (...), whose motive for the crime was the subtraction of monetary values via ATM" (ATM), he stressed.
In view of the facts reported, Pedro Lufungula stated that the crime situation in the Angolan capital and in the country "is stable and under the control of the organs of defense and security".
"Meanwhile, people in bad faith and groups of individuals with inconfessed objectives seek to promote panic and the feeling of insecurity within the population, and investigative actions are under way to hold those involved criminally accountable," he said, calling on the population to denounce the crimes to the police authorities to the detriment of their spread on social networks.
Lusa asked for clarification, without success, about reports also released in recent days alluding to the alleged trafficking of organs, following the alleged kidnappings and kidnappings, and the matter was referred to another moment.
In the same clarification session, six groups were presented who were engaged in various crimes in Luanda, and some of their members were arrested as well as seized several assets in their possession, including seven firearms.
