Attempted sexual assault, planted drugs, drunken police, bribes and arms drawn, this is the night we never wanted to talk about. This is night that I thought I might be shot, fleeing a Mozambique police station as things escalated out of control.
It’s paradise on a Wednesday night in a bar with people from all over the world, chilling under the stars on a desolate beach. That’s how the night started in Tofo, Mozambique and none of us could have ever imagined the events that would unfold.
Warning: This story is pretty heavy. This is my first hand account.
At 2.30am a friend of mine, a young Scottish lass Sarah ventured down to Tofo Beach for a cigarette. A few minutes later screams were heard from the beach where guys in the bar saw a man wrestling with her. Luckily, with a left jab, she fended off her attacker in the darkness and made it back to the bar. To give you a better idea of the situation, he was a local police officer and he was demanding sex. He threatened to kill her if she refused, after attempts to hold her down failed. Guests in a frenzy grabbed me to help out and bridge the language barrier.
In a weird sequence of events after making it back to Fatima’s lodge, both Sarah and the American crew who’d seen the incident were confronted by the officer who pleaded his innocence. Another plain clothes officer tried to calm the situation, and by calm I mean tell us there was no problem and that there was nothing to worry about. During the screams, tears and physical aggression 30mins elapsed in which time an onlooker had ventured to the local police station to raise alarm – summoning Tofo’s most senior sergent.
An amateur move and let’s just say that I was less than impressed after negative experiences with corrupt authorities in Africa. Nevertheless, we were assured that the officer was legit, the real deal and was here to help.
Whilst Mitch stayed back to restrain an understandably irate Scotsman willing to dish out some of his own justice, which was a miracle in itself – It was agreed that we would go to the police station in Tofo to record a statement.
These were the events as they unfolded and they defied belief.
Present were the British female assaulted, a German girl, an American family, a Mozambique translator, 3 local police and myself. I made it clear that we would each be contacting our national embassies as a matter of priority following the incident. Over and over with my poker face.
Upon entry to the station Sarah immediately raised concerns – the accused officer had returned to the station and was present, now sporting more official attire. Imagine that, trying to explain one of the most horrific events ever in your life whilst having the person who attempted to sexually assault you right there in your face berating you. In an heroic effort, still visibly shaken, she pointed him out and solidered on – I’ll never know how she did it.
I requested the names of each officer in the room – naturally no officer had any identification or name tags. This was refused. I attempted to record the interview via my telephone and transcribe the interview. Needless to say both requests were also refused. My phone can’t record sound anyway but it was all about the bluff.
After recording a few lines of the victims statement on what appeared to be a loose piece of scrap paper the witnesses were asked for statements. All clearly identified the attacker as the officer. The Sergeant didn’t record any of these statements and it was almost unbearable to watch as he tried to hide a smirk amongst the victims tears. Let’s face it, his notes may as well have been written in crayon by a 5 year old child – that’s about the extent of detail he recorded.
Naturally after cutting off the witnesses, the accused officer insisted on making his own statement. Permission granted, with of course, other officers chipping in here and there with extra information. In a statement which was incredibly difficult to sit through, he tried to explain it was all a misunderstanding and that he was looking for 2 males who were allegedly smoking marijuana with the female on the beach. A claim denied by all of the witnesses.
After a short absence the officer returned with what looked to be an old ‘joint’ which he pulled from his pocket and placed it on the table. He then with increasing volume stated it was Sarah’s. This was denied and we stated we where happy to have a DNA test and await the results. Declined. Let the framing begin.
After further debate and as the accused officer who was heavily intoxicated became increasingly paniced, we sought to have the matter resolved by returning the following day. At this point the officers took the situation out of the senior officers hands – a scuffle broke out as they attempted to arrest Sarah for drug possession. In what resembled a tug-o-war we things got physical as we intervened when another witness was assaulted and the officers attempted to drag Sarah into a small back room.
Staring corruption in the face – the shit had hit the fan. If things couldn’t deteriorate any further, after running into out back the accused officer returned armed with an AK-47.
Needless to say, at this point, both the young females were beyond hysterical and I could not begin to describe the look of total fear now instilled in them as tensions reached boiling point.
As the situation escalated rapidly out of control, remaining calm, I attempted to reason with the armed officer outside. While the senior officer defended his own inside, the now totally enraged officer in the shadows of the station was jamming his firearm inches from my face, screaming Portuguese with veins popping from his protruding eyes. In desperation the family took the sergeant aside to ‘work things out’, They were forced to pay an excessive fee.
Our lives were realistically at risk, 2 of the 3 officers had also been drinking at Fatima’s lodge and were heavily intoxicated, mumbling and stumbling on edge, paniced and armed. A combination that is less than ideal.
After the screaming turned into a scuffle with the officers and the translator, we were able to push the girls out into the darkness of the street to make an escape back to the lodge. We hid the two females in the corner of an empty dormitory. You could have heard a pin drop.
As last to leave standing under only street light – I felt for the first time in my life that I might be gunned down.
Amongst the screams between the police the translator, we made our getaway as the search continued into the early hours of the morning. They never found us. The family fled town on a bus as we sat it out until the morning.
The British Embassy was there the next day and at last check in the matter was being investigated and raised by the German, American and Australian embassies.
As for Sarah, she’s home in Scotland and she is my hero.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
OMG!!!! This is so horrific!!! I’m so glad you guys got away ok, is so scary to think of what could have happend! Keep me updated of what happens with the embassey investigations! I want to see these b*stards go down!!! Still completely shocked after reading this!
August 6th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Most unbelievable story! Traveling is such an adventure – never knowing what could happen. Excellent post. Glad everyone made it out safely.
August 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Fantastic story told succinctly.
Crazy stuff.
August 6th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Stories like this shock and surprise, but I knowbdo happen… Glad in this case all got away safely. Sarah may be your hero, but I bet she is glad to have you that night too.
-Craig
August 6th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Truly horrifying. Hope it hasn’t totally soured her on travel or travel in Africa. It is unfortunate that stuff like this happens all over the world.
August 6th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Wow Ben I’m on the edge of my seat reading this even though I was there!!
I went back to the police station the next day with German Sarah, where we gave more statements to the chief of police but they seemed only concerned about the bribing. However, after the embassies got involved (the British embassy acted straight away – never been so proud to be British!) the matter had to be taken a lot more seriously. The next day I went back myself with an embassy representative and identified all three policemen, even though they had shaved beards and hair off! The funny thing was they didn’t even deny it! Since I’ve been home the policemen have lost their jobs and more serious charges will follow…so I’ll keep you updated!
Interestingly to note, the further two days I spent in Tofo, word had spread like wild fire of the incident. Locals were furious and complete strangers were approaching me to see if I was ok and give apologies! They said they have to take the law into their own hands due to the local police.
Thanks so much Ben, you are definitely my hero, you bloody sacrificed yourself to let me get away…I’ll never forget that!!
August 6th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
How HORRIFYING! Ben and Sarah, I’m so glad you’re okay. Oh my GOD.
August 6th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Thanks for posting this, Ben. This is Alexei, part of the American family that was translating and helped you guys out. I’m glad we were able to help in any way we could – Sarah would not have been able to escape Sampaio if we hadn’t been there and brought her to the bar. The part of the story that you weren’t there for was that Sarah’s screams woke me up in a cold sweat, and I ran outside to see what was going on. The Mozambican police officer was holding on to her wrist, and would not let go. He was trying to pull her back onto the beach, and she was in tears pulling away from him; I immediately started screaming at the guy in portuguese. He loosened his grip enough for her to slip through the fence and run towards us, and we brought her to the bar to find you.
My dad was who went to the police, on the advice of Fatima’s. He seemed legit, but we really should never have gone to the police station. I’m repulsed that the senior police officer pulled my mom aside and asked her, “look, we’re the mature adults here, isn’t there some way we can work this out?” When we gave them all the money we had, they said that it wasn’t enough, there were 3 people to pay off. The guy who tried to assault Sarah was screaming “I want my money.” And I agree, that moment when we were walking away as fast as we could was the only time I’ve ever felt like I would be shot; it was terrifying when Sampaio pulled out a clip and loaded the AK-47 in front of us. I also don’t know if you remember this, but just as soon as we hid in your bungalow, the three police officers ran by outside, talking in Portuguese about how they needed to find her. When I went out to catch the bus, I found all three of them at the bar laughing and having a good time once more. Sickening.
Upon returning to Maputo, we went immediately to the American embassy and reported all that had happened. My mom has kept in contact with the owner of Fatima’s and embassy officials, and I am very glad that they are facing retribution.
I posted this same story under Nordin’s lodge and the Tofo section of TripAdvisor, feel free to include that link.
I still have that man’s face burned into my memory, what a horrific night.
August 6th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
What a horrifying experience. You have told the story so well Benny, I could really feel the fear of everyone involved. I’m so glad everyone is okay and I’m happy those corrupt policeman received justice. It sounds as if everyone was a tower of strength for each other, and it just goes to show how travelers will always bond together and help one another out. So even if anyone reads this and feels scared to travel, they should also feel comforted to know there will always be other travelers to help you out should any of the dangers, (that are present traveling or not) come your way.
August 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
What a horrifying and gripping story. I’m so glad you all made it out okay. I think it’s really important for potential travelers to hear stories like this, as much as the “travel is so wonderful all the time” stories. Thanks for sharing.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I don’t even know what to say…how horrific!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Ben, thanks for sharing such a difficult story. I am truly horrified by what Sarah and you guys had to go through and it makes me sick that the very same behaviour that Africa tries to deny, actually goes on right under our noses.
I’m glad to hear from Sarah’s and Alexei’s comments that this matter has not just been pushed under the carpet and that the officers involved are facing charges. Unfortunately that’s just not enough to help soften what Sarah, you and Mitch had to go through.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Holy cow. What a thoroughly frightening situation. Kudos to Sarah and everyone for keeping their heads straight and focusing both on safety and bringing these police officers to justice. I can’t believe they shaved off their beards and cut their hair – talk about guilty. Really makes me feel a bit sick. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad everyone came out OK.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
What a scary, horrifying story. First of all, you all were amazingly brave and composed in a terrifying situation. Kudos to Sarah for sticking up for herself.
I am so glad this wasn’t pushed under the rug as it could have been. It sounds like from Sarah’s and Alexei’s comment that the locals are upset, as well. Thanks so much for sharing this — as a warning that travel is not always easy or safe — and I am so glad that everyone is okay.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:06 am
What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing your experience.
September 13th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I just read your scarry story, we have a lodge in Tofo and I haven’t even heard about this until now.
I have forwarded your entire story to the Mozambique Tourism Assn, of which we are members.
The Mozambique Tourism Assn are in constant contact with the Minister of Tourism as well as other Ministers including the police (Not Tofo Police)
January 20th, 2011 at 10:38 am
Wow…this is almost unbelievable! Like a script for a movie…can’t believe that such things actually happen. But I guess you guys were quite lucky to have escaped without any major harm. This should have been in the papers all over.
Quite an adventure, indeed!!!