Warden Messages

Kidnapping Attempt

18 December 2007

The U.S. Embassy has learned of a possible kidnapping attempt against an American citizen child in Maputo.  The child, who was waiting for the morning school bus with the family maid and guard at the family's residence, was approached by an unidentified man driving an older white Toyota 4x4.  Two other suspects, a male and female, were also present in the vehicle.  The driver, who is described as a black male in his mid-forties, spoke good English.  The suspect told the child he had been sent to pick him up and the child should get in the car.  Fortunately, the child was very aware and refused to do so.  The child even refused to shake the suspect’s hand when it was offered.  Once the child’s mother appeared, the suspect fled. 

At this time, there is no information indicating that this type of activity is directed at American citizens nor is there any information which indicates there are organized kidnappings directed at the expatriate community.  While there is no evidence of an organized effort to kidnap children in Maputo, parents throughout Mozambique are strongly advised to make sure their young children are accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.  Additionally, teenage children should be accompanied, at a minimum, by at least one friend at all times and should be briefed by their parents on the need to be aware of their surroundings.

Americans living or traveling in Mozambique are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Mozambique.  For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)

The U.S. Embassy is located in Maputo at 193 Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, telephone (258) 21 49 2797.  Non-emergency American Citizens Services are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, excluding U.S. and Mozambican holidays.  (The Embassy will be closed December 24, 25 and January 1.)  Please schedule all visits for non-emergency American Citizens Services, including passports, extra passport pages, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, notarial services and informaton requests, during these hours.

The after-hours telephone numbers for use in emergencies are (258) 21 49 0723 and 21 49 2797.  The Consular Section's e-mail address is consularmaputo@state.gov.  The Embassy's web site is http://maputo.usembassy.gov/.