Maputo, 29 Jan (AIM) – The mayor of Xai-Xai, capital of the southern Mozambican province of Gaza, Emídio Xavier, was assaulted on Saturday at his home by an armed individual who is still at large.
The attacker, whose whereabouts are unknown, also vandalized the mayor’s car. He was carrying two firearms, an AKM assault rifle and a pistol.
“This attack happened outside my house, and I’m currently under medical care at home recovering from the trauma and I’m getting the situation under control. I suffered some abrasions and trauma”, said Xavier, cited by Radio Mozambique.
The mayor reassured Xai-Xai residents that he is in good health. “I’m fine, and I want to reassure people to avoid panicking”, he said.
For his part, the commander of the Xai-Xai Municipal Police, Manuel Alberto, confirmed the attack.
“As the individual was passing through Rua de Xai-Xai, he came across a police patrol and snatched a gun from one of the colleagues stationed at that post and headed towards the mayor’s residence”, Alberto explained.
Once inside the mayor’s residence, according to the commander, the perpetrator “immobilized his colleague [the security guard] who was there, took his pistol from him, and went to where the mayor was”.
“He smashed the window of the mayor’s car with the butt of his AKM and threw a few blows and punches at the mayor, threatening him. Then he left the scene”, he said.
The police authorities, according to Alberto, have already recovered the two weapons, explaining that the perpetrator is known to the authorities and an operation has already been launched to track him down.
(AIM)
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