PGR questions Mondlane, then releases him

Maputo, 12 Mar (AIM) – The Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office (PGR) questioned former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane for about 10 hours on Tuesday, but released him withouT charge.

On leaving the PGR head office in Maputo, Mondlane told reporters that the prosecutors had asked him about the wave of protests following the announcement, on 23 December of results from the October general elections widely believed to be fraudulent, and the subsequent damage to the Mozambican economy.

“I answered all the questions without knowing what crime I am accused of”, said Mondlane.

This is somewhat disingenuous, since prior PGR statements have made it clear that Mondlane is regarded as one of the instigators of the post-election violence. But he has never been arrested in connection with the rioting.

At the peak of the unrest, Mondlane was out of the country, communicating with his followers by live broadcasts on his Facebook page. He was also careful to disown violence, and urged his followers not to take part in looting. This might make it difficult to build a criminal case against him.

After the Tuesday interrogation he was conditionally released, but with the obligation to report to the PGR if he intends to leave his home for more than five days. Mondlane regretted this restriction on his movements, but said it would not prevent him from carrying out his normal political activities.

He took the opportunity to accuse the PGR of bias, since it has taken no action on the large number of complaints of police violence, up to and including the murder of Mondlane supporters.

He also submitted his own complaint of criminal behaviour against President Daniel Chapo, backed up by copious documentation. One of the counts against Chapo is his threat to “spill the blood” of protesters, made in a speech last month in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

This could be regarded as a mere rhetorical flourish, and one which Chapo thought better of, since he was soon claiming that his speech had been misinterpreted. But police killings of protesters have continued, and so Mondlane regarded the President’s words as deadly serious.

Mondlane also blamed Chapo personally for the police attack against his motorcade last Wednesday, which he claims was an assassination attempt.

For the time being, the PGR has opted not to arrest Mondlane – perhaps because it is well aware of the potential repercussions of the arrest of such a popular politician.

Mondlane also announced that he is forming his own political party, and expected to announce its existence within a week or so. The administrative procedures necessary to formalise the new party had taken longer than expected, but now all the legally required documentation was ready.
(AIM)
Pf/ (455)