By Charles Mangwiro

MAPUTO, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Mozambique President Armando Guebuza on Thursday fired the national police chief and ordered his successor to do more to combat a recent crime spree, which included the execution-style murder of a government official.

Guebuza, who faces re-election next year, did not give a reason for his decision to sack Custodio Pinto. But the move followed widespread calls by Mozambicans for a crackdown on violent crime in the southern African country.

Three infamous criminals, including the murderer of a prominent journalist, escaped from custody this month and the capital has suffered a wave of murders and kidnappings.

On Tuesday a gang shot and killed Feliciano Juvane, the director of public order for the Maputo police, as he arrived home. A member of a new crimefighting team was murdered last month in the city in what police called an assassination.

"We are conscious that the mission is complex," Guebuza said as Jorge Khalau was sworn in as Pinto's replacement. "You are taking over at a time when the police is re-organizing itself to secure a peaceful festive season."

Khalau was Pinto's deputy.

Mozambique's government has been under pressure to rein in crime and battle corruption since the 2000 gangland murder of journalist Carlos Cardoso, who was slain while probing a $14 million embezzlement at the Commercial Bank of Mozambique.

The ringleader of the Cardoso killing, Anibal dos Santos, was among those who escaped this month with the help of his guards. He was serving a 30-year prison sentence. (Editing by Paul Simao)

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