Huila: The Attorney General's Office (PGR) in the southern Huila Province has recorded 240 serious crimes from January to October this year, with some cases in the investigation phase and others in the judicial phase. These developments mark significant progress in criminal procedural treatment, despite ongoing staff limitations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the records include 14 cases in the judicial phase for corruption crimes, eight for fuel smuggling, 68 for drug trafficking, 89 homicides, and 61 for domestic violence. In the investigation phase, the figures are six for corruption crimes, 10 for fuel smuggling, 208 for drug trafficking, 124 for theft and robbery of livestock, 225 for homicide, and 211 for domestic violence.
In an interview with ANGOP, the head prosecutor for Huila, Nilton Muaca, described the institutional performance throughout 2025 as "positive." He highlighted advances in criminal procedural treatment, although there was an increase of 28 cases compared to the same period in 2024. Despite limitations in human resources, preventive action and proximity to citizens were strengthened.
Muaca explained that between January and October, the institution registered 240 criminal cases in the judicial phase, relating to major offenses, indicating a slight increase from the same period in 2024. In the instruction phase, 784 cases were recorded, compared to 508 in the previous year, reflecting improved response capabilities and dynamism in criminal investigation bodies.
Among the judicial phase cases, Muaca spotlighted those involving corruption, fuel smuggling, drug trafficking, homicides, and domestic violence. In the instruction phase, drug trafficking, homicides, domestic violence, and theft and robbery of cattle were prevalent, warranting special attention from authorities.
The Deputy Attorney General of the Republic in Huila attributed some positive crime indicator evolution to reinforced operational work by defense and security forces, focusing on community policing and preventive patrols. The magistrate emphasized Huila's status as the second largest judicial center in the country, after Luanda, with a notable reduction in cases brought to court for certain crimes due to effective integrated action by criminal police bodies.
In addition to repressive measures, PGR-Huila conducted various extra-procedural activities throughout the year, such as lectures, training sessions, colloquiums, and roundtables to raise legal awareness and bolster crime prevention.
Despite encouraging results, PGR in Huila faces challenges due to a shortage of magistrates and justice technicians, affecting procedural speed. The deputy prosecutor noted that some instructors handle over 500 cases, complicating timely processing. Consequently, the PGR issued 12 releases due to excessive pre-trial detention, underscoring the need to reduce such cases to zero. The institution has 36 magistrates and 100 justice technicians and general staff, against an estimated need for 300.
