MAPUTO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- About 150 prisoners have been removed from a prison in southern Mozambique to another prison unit about 80 kilometers away due to the risk of flooding in the region, local authorities announced Monday.
According to the provincial director of Justice in Gaza, Manuel Machanguane, the transfer from the Guija penitentiary district to Macia took place after the rising flow of the Limpopo river.
"The Mozambican state always seeks to pay the necessary attention to guarantee deserved dignity of prisoners, despite being serving sentences," said Machanguane, quoted by Radio Mocambique.
Due to the rising flow of the Limpopo River, more than 24,000 hectares of agricultural production and residential areas have already been flooded, and the floods caused by the rains also destroyed a number of infrastructure in several districts of the Gaza province.
The Guija district has been at risk of flooding for days. It is for this reason that the authorities have decided to evacuate inmates from the penitentiary district to safety, the district administrator, Jaime Guambe, was also quoted as saying.
Guambe added that the transfer of inmates will make it possible to give more humane treatment to prisoners, guaranteeing them safe accommodation, food and other assistance under human rights.
Since the beginning of the year 2021, thousands of people have been affected by bad weather, which has caused the deaths of around 40 people across the country. Enditem
