
Lutero Simango, em campanha eleitoral na província de Inhambane
Maputo, 24 Sep (AIM) – For the second consecutive day, gangs of supporters of Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo Party clashed in the southern province of Inhambane with the security guards of Lutero Simango, the leader and presidential candidate of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).
According to a report on the independent television station STV, on Monday a Frelimo group tried to occupy the same place as Simango was holding an election rally in the Belane administrative post, in the district of Vilanculo.
Despite the disruption, Simango continued speaking. His security men urged the Frelimo group to move, but they took no notice, and both sides came to blows.
Much the same thing happened on Tuesday, in the Zimpeto market, in the Vilanculo neighbourhood of Alto Maxixe. While Simango was addressing his potential voters, a pick-up truck loaded with Frelimo supporters and a sound system drew up. It parked near the rally, playing loud music.
The security guards were more successful this time, and forced the Frelimo group to withdraw. Only later did the police appear.
The rally continued, and Simango warned “When they provoke us, we shall react. We are tired of these thieves. They are the ones who dilapidate our resources and leave us in poverty. It is time for change and to remove these reds from power”.
Meanwhile, in Mocubela district, in the central province of Zambezia, Ossufo Momade, the leader of the main opposition party, Renamo, promised that a Renamo government will eradicate child marriage and end sexual harassment in the schools.
“When I reach the presidency, I shall fight against child marriage”, he pledged, “because the place of a child is in school”.
He also promised to revive the production of coconut palms and copra. “We shall seek investors to continue producing here, in these palm trees. You will have jobs and will develop the economy. Only by voting for Renamo will you obtain these projects”.
But the revival of copra production will be no easy task. This is an industry that went into decline because of the spread of a disease, the lethal yellowing disease, through the Zambezia coconut plantations.
(AIM)
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