
Polícia tenta dispersar manifestantes em Maputo
Maputo, 14 Jan (AIM) – The Mozambican police shot dead at least four people on Monday during demonstrations called by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in order to protest against the investiture of new members of parliament.
While deputies of the ruling Frelimo party and the opposition Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) were taking the oath of office, Mondlane supporters were protesting on the streets of Maputo city and province, as part of first day in a three day general strike.
According to Wilker Dias, chairperson of the NGO “Decide” Electoral Platform, the police used live ammunition in order to disperse the protesters on the streets and, as a result of the police violence, “four people were shot dead.”
“There are also 12 people injured by gunshots and two others were detained”, Dias said, through his Facebook account, addressing reporters.
“These people were shot by police in Matola-Rio municipality and Mavalane neighborhood. One was shot on the neck”, he said “The Police were also firing tear gas into the houses in order to disperse the protesters. While there were people taking the oath of office, others were dying”, he said.
According to the “Decide” Electoral Platform, since the demonstrations began on 21 October, over 300 people have been shot dead by police.
In the northern province of Cabo Delgado, two Mondlane supporters have disappeared in unclear circumstances. It is believed that they were captured last week while travelling from Montepuez district to the provincial capital, Pemba city.
Arlindo Chissale, another Mondlane supporter, has also disappeared in unclear circumstances. He is also a reporter of the independent outlet “Pinnacle News”, which in recent years has been covering and reporting on the Islamist terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
(AIM)
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