
Maputo, 2 Feb (AIM) – Mozambican civil society organisations have condemned the brutal killing of a woman in Matola-Rio, on the outskirts of Maputo, and the release on bail of her husband, who has confessed to the murder.
The victim, Celina Muiambo, was stabbed to death about a week ago, and the killer threw her body onto a rubbish dump. The body was discovered and taken to the city morgue.
One of Celina’s sisters, cited by the independent television station, STV, said she only became aware of the murder on Wednesday. “We tried to phone Celina up during the week, but the number was switched off”, she added. “We ended up ringing her husband, Edson, and he said he hadn’t seen her since 23.00 last Saturday”.
“We questioned the fact that he had not told anybody about the disappearance of his wife, and then we began to search through social media”, she said.
Celina’s family found her body in the morgue, and the husband was charged with the murder. But, although he confessed to the crime, a court ordered Edson’s release against payment of bail of 100,000 meticais (about 1,560 US dollars, at the current exchange rate).
“He was released, and we were all indignant”, said Celina’s sister. “We asked for help to understand why he had been set free, after what he had done”.
The case led more than 50 civil society organisations to meet on Wednesday in Maputo, to condemn the release of Celina’s husband.
One civil society activist, Dalila Macuacua, declared “once again the Mozambican state has proved that it doesn’t care about human life, particularly the lives of women. It has reaffirmed that a culture of impunity is installed in our society and in its institutions”.
The outcry was such that the husband was re-arrested and taken back to a police cell. But the civil society bodies believe much more should be done to ensure justice.
“There should be a proper investigation, by the Higher Council of the Judicial Magistrature (the disciplinary body for judges), to confirm whether there was any corruption or malpractice in the release”, urged activist Quiteria Guirengane.
(AIM)
Pf/ (368)