Maputo, 28 Nov (AIM) – Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, has promised to sue the commander of the police force, Bernadino Rafael, for the police use of force against Renamo demonstrators during and after the municipal elections of 11 October.
On Monday, the Renamo candidate for mayor of Maputo, Venancio Mondlane, delivered his complaint to the Attorney-General’s Office, seeking criminal proceedings against Rafael.
Cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, Mondlane said the police behavior during and after polling day went beyond the legitimate powers of the police force.
He claimed that the details of the police violence, contained in the Renamo complaint, should lead the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate criminal proceedings against Rafael “for all the basic violations of human rights, and the excessive and disproportionate use of violence”.
He said the police had used live ammunition against protesters in Maputo, Matola, Angoche, Quelimane, Nacala and Chiure.
“All the details are here in the complaint we are submitting, and we want the General Commander to be held responsible”, Mondlane demanded.
Renamo is also trying to sue Elio Jonasse, the chairperson of the public television station, TVM. It accuses Jonasse of lying to the public by announcing Frelimo victories in the municipal elections long before the count had finished.
TVM have “adulterated information” to the Mozambican public, declared the Renamo complaint, “and this is a crime, particularly in the case of a public television station that uses our taxes”.
Mondlane said Renamo has also asked the Constitutional Council, the country’s highest body in matters of constitutional and electoral law, to explain the various omissions in its ruling last Friday, which proclaimed the definitive results from the municipal elections.
“There is a lot left out from the Council ruling and a lot that is imprecise, quite apart from the illegalities it contains”, said Mondlane. “We are asking the Council to clarify some questions”.
There can be no appeals against Council rulings, “but this conflicts with other principles”, he said, “such as the principles of legality and justice, which are noble principles that guarantee fundamental rights”.
(AIM)
Pf/ (353)