14 rioters arrested in Nampula

Nampula (Mozambique), 9 Mar (AIM) – The Mozambican police (PRM) hav detained 14 people believed to have been among rioters who attacked schools and molested pupils on Thursday in the northern province of Nampula.

The same group is also accused of lootin goods in Nampula shops. According to Nampula police spokesperson, Rosa Chauque, speaking to journalists on Friday, the disturbances occurred in primary and secondary schools on the outskirts of Nampula city, and in Namialo, capital of Meconta district.

“We had some foci of disturbances in Nampula and Namialo”, said Chauque. “These acts were committed by individuals who erected barricades on the roads and obstructed the free circulation of people and goods”.

Chauque said 14 people were detained, seven of whom were presented to the journalists. Five of the seven were arrested in Namialo and two in Nampula. The police say they were part of the group which attacked the Maparra primary school, where they stole goods from the children. The police are continuing to patrol the Maparra school.

“These individuals were detained because they vandalised and looted goods from shops, some of which were recovered by the police”, said Chauque. She added that the police had seized 23 sachets containing the drug crystal meth.

The detainees denied the police accusations and told the reporters they had been arrested for no apparent reason.

“They’re just trying to evade their responsibilities”, said Chauque. “The police have proof, and in Elipse neighbourhood, in Nampula city, some of them carried out robberies armed with machetes and crowbars and terrorised residents. Work is under way to catch the others involved in these acts”.

Parents of pupils studying at the schools attacked told AIM they were concerned at the invasion of the schools and the subsequent acts of destruction. One mother said her terrified 12 year old son had come home with a twisted ankle because he had been fleeing from the rioters who rampaged through the Mutomote primary school.

The child was taken to a local health unit, where his foot was put into plaster. He was told to rest for the next two weeks.

Two children were stabbed at the Mapara primary school, when they refused to hand over their school bags to the rioters. The police say they have arrested two of this group.
(AIM)
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