Real Stories, Real Impact
Discover the stories, the impact, and the ways you can join the movement for a just and sustainable future.
Carla Maria Alvarenga Bras: Orchestrating the arrest of native farmers in a land rights dispute in Mozambique!
Allegations of Land Grabbing, Intimidation, and Abuse of Power Surface Against Portuguese National in Marracuene, Mozambique
Serious concerns have been raised regarding the conduct of Carla Maria Alvarenga Bras, a Portuguese citizen, in Mozambique.
Multiple reports detail allegations of misconduct, focusing on disputed land claims, intimidation of local communities, questionable financial dealings, and potential complicity of local authorities, primarily centred in the Marracuene district.
These events raise critical questions about land rights, the rule of law, and their impact on sustainable development in the region.
Left: Carla Bras’s explanation is that her colonizing great-grandparents are to blame for her actions, because, in her words, they ‘discovered’ Africa.
Disputed Land Claims and the Shadow of Past Fraud
Ms. Bras is accused of ordering the demolition of structures on land in Marracuene reportedly owned and cultivated by residents for generations. These actions were allegedly undertaken without presenting valid legal documentation of ownership or a court order.
Her claims to the land appear contradictory. Sources report she has stated both that she “bought the shares of Quinta dos Verdes Agro-indústria e Turismo Lda.” and that she “inherited” the property from her grandparents, failing to provide substantiating documents for either claim.
Link to “Quinta dos Verdes Agro-indústria e Turismo Lda” Fraud: Ms. Bras’s claim relates to the “Quinta dos Verdes Agro-indústria e Turismo Lda.” project. Registered in 2009, this project is widely considered fraudulent in the district, involving approximately $3.5 million USD. The original project promised fish farming tanks, a processing plant, more than 300 permanent jobs, and a school in partnership with landowners but delivered nothing, with funds vanishing.
Concerns exist that Ms. Bras’s current claims may be entangled with this historical fraud, which also involved multimillion dollar losses to the state via exemptions in import duties for machinery that never arrived in Marracuene district of Maputo.
Allegations of Intimidation and Rights Violations
Ms. Bras is accused of employing individuals to intimidate local farmers in Marracuene. This reportedly includes the confiscation of essential farming tools like hoes (enxadas) – items of deep cultural and practical significance, symbolising resilience and livelihood in Mozambique.
Such actions directly disrupt agricultural activities vital for local food security (SDG 2: Zero Hunger).
Reports indicate Ms. Bras has been involved in the illegal eviction and arrest of local farmers. A particularly troubling incident involved a young farmer detained allegedly for minor damage while protecting his poultry.
He was reportedly arrested by police accompanied by Ms. Bras’s guard, forced to abandon his livestock, highlighting a potential abuse of power and disregard for due process (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Left: Carla Bras confirms the demolition of the historical heritage and applauds the effectiveness of her aggressive action in a foreign country.
Questions Surrounding Legitimacy and Financial Dealings
While Ms. Bras reportedly claims Mozambican citizenship, sources indicate she resides in Mozambique on a temporary permit linked to BIOMOZ LIMITADA, a company itself allegedly facing scrutiny over its legitimacy.
It is alleged that Ms. Bras provided a false residential address to her legal representatives (“MILAGROSA MACUACUA ADVOGADOS“) in a precautionary measure submitted to the Maputo provincial court.
Given her declared status as an employee of BIOMOZ Limitada under a temporary permit, questions arise regarding the source of funds allegedly used to acquire significant company shares and land assets in Mozambique. This includes scrutiny over dealings such as a reported 40 million meticais investment in a potato project in Boane.
Ms. Bras also claims ownership of the Olimax Limitada facility in Maxixe, stating she “recovered it from ruins.” The legitimacy and circumstances of this acquisition are reportedly under scrutiny, particularly as evidence confirming the transfer of Olimax quotas from Mozambique’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Moçambique, S.A. (Petromoc), to Ms. Bras has reportedly not been made apparent.
Concerns Regarding Official Complicity and Governance
There are serious allegations that local police have refused to register complaints filed by community members against Ms. Bras, raising concerns about impartiality and equal application of the law (SDG 16).
The secretary of the Hobjana locality, Serafim Mulungo, is accused of protecting Ms. Bras and acting against the interests of the native smallholder farmers. These farmers are crucial to Mozambique’s food chain, contributing significantly to national food production. Actions undermining them directly threaten food security and rural livelihoods (SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger).
Profound Impact on the Community and Development Goals
The alleged land grabbing, destruction of property, and confiscation of tools directly undermine the livelihoods and economic stability of the affected communities.
The perceived impunity, lack of effective legal recourse for locals, and alleged collusion by officials severely erode public trust in governance and the justice system.
Ongoing land disputes fuelled by perceptions of injustice and unequal treatment create a volatile environment with the potential for escalating community unrest and conflict, hindering peaceful development (SDG 16).
28 Years of Exploitation:
mozambique
Brutal Reality of Labour Exploitation in Mozambique
In Marracuene, Mozambique, a disturbing case of modern-day slavery has been exposed. A man with physical and mental disabilities endured 28 years of severe labour exploitation by a Portuguese employer. He received only half of his promised salary, with false assurances of future compensation in livestock and a piece of land to grow his own food. This inhumane practice constitutes forced labour, a flagrant violation of human rights.
When the employer passed the farm to his Portuguese cousin and began selling the livestock, the workers were told to leave the farmland and abandon their crops. The worker bravely demanded his rightful compensation but was abruptly dismissed. The new employer refused to hire him due to his disabilities, leaving him and his family destitute.
Struggling to survive on a mere $1 per day, they are unable to pursue legal recourse against the Portuguese individuals and private lawyers who enable the exploitation of vulnerable indigenous people.
The lack of social security and the devastating impact on his mental and physical well-being further exacerbate his plight. This case highlights the urgent need for action to protect the rights of vulnerable workers and combat exploitation in Mozambique. It’s crucial to remember that the law of the land in Mozambique states: “A terra é de quem trabalha” (The land belongs to those who work it).
Despite the job termination, the workers have the right to continue producing their food as they have been doing for the past 10 years. This is not only supported by Mozambican land law but also because the “patrão” (boss) gave him the piece of land to grow his own food.
No individual should come from Portugal and displace native communities from the land they have been producing their own food on for over 10 years.
No employer should dismiss an employee who served for 28 years without any remuneration. We believe that such an attitude is unacceptable in the EU, even in Portugal.
No foreigner should displace indigenous people simply because they have a “white elephant” project on their hands.
Join us in defending the rights of these farmers and their sustainable way of life.
Decolonization Now:
Land pirate
Defiance of Authorities: Foreigner Seizes Property in Mozambique
We thought the colonial era was over, but we have encountered new acts of invasion and violence. In Hobjana, in the locality of Macaneta, a group led by Carla Braz, a Portuguese citizen, illegally demolished a cattle shed that was over 50 years old.
Armed with tools like hammers, picks, and machetes, the invaders destroyed the property without any legal authorization. When questioned, those responsible stated that they were acting under the orders of Carla Braz, citing unknown reasons.
Faced with the inaction of the authorities, the invaders showed complete disregard for the law and private property, threatening to continue the attacks until they could take possession of the area. It is important to note that the action was carried out without any document authorizing the demolition, in clear violation of the current legislation.
Given this scenario of insecurity and arbitrariness, we demand immediate intervention by the competent authorities to ensure justice and the protection of the rights of the affected family. The invasion of private property and violence against citizens are crimes that must be severely punished.
We request that a thorough investigation be carried out to determine the responsibilities of all those involved in this case and that appropriate measures be taken to repair the damage caused and ensure the safety of the family.
Ivo Filipe Ferreira Cardoso: Accused of Serious Crimes in Mozambique
Portuguese citizen, Ivo Filipe Ferreira Cardoso, is being accused of serious crimes in Mozambique, including fraud, illegal eviction, illegal possession of a firearm, and exploitation of vulnerable people.
Cardoso’s Campaign of Fraud and Exploitation Against Mozambicans
A resident of Maputo for less than a decade, Cardoso orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to seize Mozambican assets, exploiting loopholes to manipulate the legal system for his benefit. He is accused of orchestrating the illegal eviction and sale of a property under dispute in Bairro do Aeroporto, Maputo, for personal gain.
On January 21, 2024, Cardoso illegally transported a firearm, raising concerns among those involved in the dispute.
In the municipality of Marracuene, Cardoso ordered the dismissal of workers without compensation, including a Mozambican citizen with disabilities and 28 years of service, who received only half of the agreed salary. Promises of future payment in cattle and land for the worker to produce his own food were made. This practice constitutes analogous work to slavery, a serious violation of human rights.
Upon demanding their rights, the workers were evicted from the land given to them for their own sustenance more than 10 years ago, without any compensation or access to the cattle promised to the young man with disabilities. Currently, those affected, and their families face financial and psychological hardship, aggravated by the absence of any social security, while Cardoso enjoys a luxurious life at the expense of the sweat of the Mozambican people.
Cardoso also sold the cattle that was family inheritance in Mozambique, including that of the young man with physical and mental disabilities.
Cardoso presents himself as a defender of human dignity, but his actions demonstrate otherwise. He organized a mass in memory of the deceased mother of the victims but prevented them from attending the ceremony at the Marracuene cemetery. Cardoso continues to plan the coup even after being warned at the 9th police station in Maputo not to get involved in the Mozambican family estate dispute. His plan included firing old workers and selling family assets.
Legal Actions
- A criminal complaint was filed on April 3, 2024, at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Maputo.
- An application to become an assistant was filed on May 6, 2024.
Demands:
- A full investigation of Cardoso’s actions is demanded by the Mozambican and Portuguese authorities.
- That appropriate sanctions be applied to all those responsible for these crimes.
- Evidence of irregularities, including the court case in which Cardoso appears as a witness, is available for consultation.
Decolonization Now:
mozambique
Support Sustainable Agriculture and Land Rights in Mozambique
In an inhumane and illegal act, a war veteran in Hobjana, Marracuene municipality, was brutally evicted from his home and farm. Now he is homeless, forced to sleep in the bush and prohibited from reaping the fruits of his years of work.
After serving his country, Mr. Rodrigues worked for more than 15 years as a night guard. During the day, he managed the farm while his patrão (boss) was in Portugal. He also grew his own crops on land his patrão gave him as an incentive for his tireless work. Mr. Rodrigues has no pension or other income; relies on his night job and the 10-kilometer walk to sell his crops at the farmers’ market to feed his family.
In November 2023, Mr. Rodrigues and four other workers were told that they must start producing and selling their own products in the market to earn their wages. But without seeds or equipment, they were essentially told to collect and sell wild grass because the patrão no longer wanted to run the farm and was handing it over to a new boss, a company called Quinta dos Verdes.
In January 2024, Mr. Rodrigues and his team started looking for help because they were starving and without pay. When the patrão learned that the workers were asking for fair pay for more than 11+ years of service, he returned from Portugal and, in collaboration with fellow Portuguese and a law firm hired by the son-in-law, vowed to make their lives miserable.
Remember, these are people who live on $2 a day and have no pension or insurance. It is unacceptable that those who fought for our well-being and continue to produce food for our sustenance are treated with such injustice and disrespect, especially by foreign citizens who are presumably aware of human rights.
It is unfair for foreign individuals who preach and live in accordance with human rights, equality and democracy, while enjoying state benefits, pensions, life insurance and other European Union benefits, to obstruct the basic needs of the disadvantaged.
We demand immediate action from authorities to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples:
- Guarantee dignified access to their homes and the right to use and benefit from their lands.
- Identify and hold accountable those responsible for this illegal dumping.
- Implement measures to prevent such situations from happening again, guaranteeing the rights and dignity of all Mozambicans.
Demand accountability and transparency from Mozambique's lawyers.
Tete Residents Choke on Dust as Mining Company Ignores Pollution Concerns
Residents of Tete, Mozambique are raising the alarm about severe air pollution plaguing their communities. In Chingodzi, thick dust clouds kicked up by buses servicing the Indian mining company Vulcan Mozambique are making life unbearable.
“We feel sick because of the dust. We can’t even sit outside,” one resident lamented, echoing the concerns of neighbours struggling with respiratory problems. Homes are constantly coated in grime, and the air is thick with dust. Despite attempts to engage with authorities, residents feel ignored and helpless.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Communities in Moatize district are also demanding action from Vulcan, giving the company a 30-day ultimatum to address the pollution emanating from its coal mine. Residents complain of health problems and deteriorating living conditions due to the mine’s activities. Images circulating on social media paint a grim picture of the environmental damage.
Frustration is mounting as residents feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears. Both AQUA, the environmental regulatory body, and the Tete Municipality have refused to comment on the situation. While the former Secretary of State in Tete province, Elisa Zacarias, assures that investigations are underway, residents are demanding immediate action to protect their health and environment.
Tete Chokes on Mining Dust
coal mining
Join us in defending the rights of these farmers and their sustainable way of life.
Legal Profession Grapples with
Corruption
Lawyers in Mozambique under investigation for serious infractions
Around seventy lawyers face disciplinary proceedings across the country for committing various infractions. Fraud, active corruption and illegal activities are the offenses committed by those involved.
The president of the Jurisdictional Council, Hermenegildo Guilasse, asked the members of this group to distance themselves from corruption in the exercise of their activities.
The source said that lawyers must be guided by the observance of professional ethics and deontology when providing services to citizens.
This information was made public on Wednesday in Lichinga, the capital of Niassa Province, Mozambique, during a lecture on Professional Ethics and Deontology.
In turn, the Secretary of State for the Province of Niassa, Lina Portugal, said she was tired of hearing complaints from the population about the poor quality of services and other unexpected behaviour by lawyers in the region.
Demand accountability and transparency from Mozambique's lawyers.
From Despair to Hope: Seeds
of Change
Stolen Dreams: Young Farmers Fight for Their Right to Thrive
In Macaneta, Marracuene, a group of young, visionary farmers face imminent eviction from their ancestral lands. This violation of their human rights poses a direct threat to food security, local culture, and the hopes of a generation. This injustice undermines Mozambique’s progress toward achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in building resilience to climate change.
In a country where dairy products are imported from as far away as Portugal, and fresh milk is a privilege, these innovative young farmers have implemented agroforestry technology, dairy farming, and agro-processing in their rural community. These practices not only contribute to the food supply chain but also promote sustainable land management and biodiversity, crucial for adapting to a changing climate.
In collaboration with IIAM (Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique), they’ve embarked on an animal genetic improvement program, benefiting veterinary students and resulting in a successful artificial insemination program. This demonstrates their commitment to innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.
These farmers, who have created sustainable green jobs through agroforestry, are not only providing for their own community but also contributing to the food security of other provinces. They are also implementing technology to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda. Their displacement is a clear violation of Mozambican land law, which guarantees their right to use and benefit from the land. Evicting these farmers would undermine Mozambique’s efforts to build a climate-resilient future.
This situation echoes the devastating effects of colonialism, where external powers exploited resources, destroyed heritage, and disrupted local communities. As a first-generation post-colonial country, Mozambique must defend the right to rewrite its history and protect its identity. These young farmers represent the future of Mozambique, and their displacement would be a devastating loss for the country.
Now is the time to defend these rights and resist further exploitation. There is no prosperity or hope for a better future if basic human rights, Mozambican land law, and international human rights law are ignored by foreign individuals who use their wealth to pave their way.
Act Now for Change
Together, we can fight for justice and decolonization in Mozambique, working towards a better future with a sustainable food supply.