– The results of the 9 October general elections will be transmitted on Monday 23 December, at 15.00, in a live broadcast from the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre in Maputo
By António Cumbane
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – A tense environment has been installed in Mozambique, particularly in Maputo city, after presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane promised that on 23 December he would shut the entire country down so that the people could follow the announcement of the results of the 9 October general elections by the Constitutional Council.
Mondlane has threatened a fresh round of unrest which he calls “Turbo V8”. If “Turbo V8” happens, he said, it will be the fault of the Constitutional Council. In one of his frequent broadcasts from an undisclosed location via his Facebook page, Mondlane declared “On Monday, we shall stop everything. In the neighbourhoods we shall erect giant screens so that we can follow the results. Another group will stay in the vicinity of the Constitutional Council”.
The Council has scheduled for this Monday the final decision about who really won the elections of 9 October. There were four presidential candidates: Daniel Chapo, of the ruling Frelimo Party, Venancio Mondlane, who is supported by the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS), Ossufo Momade, of Renamo, and Lutero Simango, of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).
Mondlane’s threats are being taken seriously. The banks have circulated messages warning their clients that their branches, at least in Maputo city, will be closed on Monday.
Reports reaching us from Maxixe, in Inhambane province, and from the central city of Chimoio, indicate that although people and vehicles are still moving, fear is dominant. In Chimoio, National Highway Number Six, which connects Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is not closed, but the city has come to a halt.
Early on Monday morning, traffic was difficult on many of Maputo’s roads. Gangs obeying Mondlane erected barricades, and obliged motorists to turn back.
“This strike isn’t a strike of Venâncio Mondlane, it’s a strike by a group of people with bad intentions. I received a call at 04.00 to take a client from the Junta bus terminal to the Port of Matola, but as I approached the tollgate, the way was barred and I was obliged to go back. What’s going on here is sad. The results will be announced at 15.00 and not in the morning”, said Genito, a driver for the taxi firm YANGO LITE, in a telephone interview with MOZTIMES.
Like transport operators, traders are also panicking and prefer not to open any of their stalls, particularly in Xipamanine, one of the largest markets in Maputo city. The minibus-taxis (commonly known as “chapas”) are not on the roads, and so people are obliged to walk to their destinations.
Shops, banks and institutions closed, and likely major unrest in the streets, are what can be expected in Mozambique after the announcement of the results on Monday which will certainly proclaim Frelimo and Daniel Chapo as the winners. (AC)
