Over 200 Prisoners Escape from Gorongosa Prison During Protest

- Prisoner escapes have been recurrent since the start of the post-election crisis

By Ricardo Dias

Maputo (MOZTIMES) – At least 220 prisoners escaped from the Gorongosa district prison in he central Mozambican province of Sofala on Monday, the same day that the official residence of the mayor of Gorongosa was vandalised.

According to the police spokesperson in Sofala, Dércio Chacate, the incident began with protests involving artisanal miners, taxi drivers, and other demonstrators demanding a reduction in the prices of essential goods.

"These 220 prisoners escaped, but, as of now, at least 12 have already been recaptured, while the rest remain at large," said Dércio Chacate in a phone interview.

The police spokesperson explained that a group of over 500 demonstrators organised marches and set up barricades, blocking traffic in several areas of Gorongosa district.

The situation escalated, resulting in damage to the mayor's residence, and to a local warehouse.

Gorongosa was home to one of RENAMO's main bases during the 16-year civil war. During the resurgence of conflict between 2013 and 2016, the area was once again used as a military base, reactivated under the leadership of Afonso Dhlakama.

With the formation of the RENAMO “Military Junta”, led by the dissident Mariano Nhongo, a paramilitary group settled in the area, creating instability until Nhongo was killed by the Defence and Security Forces.

The release of prisoners during protests is not a new phenomenon. Similar incidents occurred at the Inhassunge, Ile, and Morrumbala district prisons in Zambézia province. The largest jail break occurred in December, in Maputo Central prison and the adjacent top security prison, where 1,534 inmates escaped.

Following the prison escapes in Zambézia, there was a rise in post-electoral violence, although no confirmed link has been established between the violence and the escaped prisoners. (RD)

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