Maputo, 30 Oct (AIM) – The Mozambican Interior Minister, Pascoal Ronda, has accused the independent presidential candidate, Venancio Mondlane, of being the moral author of the clashes between the police and protesters during last week’s strikes and protests.
The accusation comes after the police opened criminal proceedings against Venâncio Mondlane and his supporters for allegedly being responsible for “the post-election violence that the country is facing.”
Last week, the country was hit by three days of strikes and protests called by Mondlane, in order to protest against “electoral fraud”, and against the kidnappings that have affected the Mozambican business community.
The demonstrations, which took place last Monday, Thursday and Friday, were also intended to protest against the murder of Mondlane’s lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, an election agent for the opposition party Podemos. At least 11 people died during the demonstrations and dozens were injured, including police officers.
“Venâncio Mondlane is the moral author of these demonstrations. He’s the one who started it. He’s not here now, he’s in South Africa, but from there he’s in charge. He’s using social media and we, as users of social media, can’t allow this, because he’s manipulating public opinion and causing destruction. A lot of families are weeping because of the damage that has been caused”, Ronda told reporters, on Tuesday, in Maputo.
According to Ronda, file have already been drawn up to hold Venâncio Mondlane accountable for acts of violence.
“The Public Prosecutor’s Office has drawn up files on the moral and material perpetrators and they must, by law, answer for their actions”, said the Minister. But he did not comment on the police use of excessive force to disperse protesters.
He promised that “the Defence and Security Forces will continue to carry out their mission so that the free movement of people and goods continues to be a regular occurrence in our country”.
(AIM)
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