Government Reports Only 80 Deaths from Protests, Significantly Lower than Civil Society Estimates

- Protests Resulted in Destruction of 117 Schools, 27 Health Facilities, and 58 Communication Masts

by Noémia Mendes

Pemba (MOZTIMES) – The Mozambican government reported on Tuesday that only 80 deaths occurred during the recent post-election protests, significantly fewer than figures provided by civil society organisations monitoring the situation.

The Government spokesperson, the Minister of State Administration, Inocêncio Impissa, presented detailed figures on infrastructure damage caused by the protests, highlighting extensive destruction while emphasising a relatively low official death toll compared to independent reports.

Impissa cited these figures to reinforce the government's firm stance against the protests, calling them "illegal and violent."

"His Excellency the President of the Republic and his government vehemently repudiate the violent and illegal protests occurring throughout the country or in large parts of it", said Impissa.

"We will continue to strongly combat these demonstrations, as they do no good to anyone", he added.

"So far, we have recorded the destruction of 117 schools or educational establishments, 19 factories and industrial sites, 23 commercial warehouses, 1,677 commercial establishments, 13 pharmacies, 176 electricity stations, 12 transformers, 27 health centres, 58 communication masts, 23 ambulances vandalised, 293 public buildings damaged, and 220 government vehicles vandalised, along with numerous private vehicles. Additionally, 164 government houses and 108 private residences have been damaged," Impissa explained, adding that such destruction "should revolt every Mozambican."

Initially, Impissa made no mention of deaths resulting from the unrest—mostly caused by police shootings during confrontations with protesters—but when questioned by journalists during the press conference, he stated that the government's records indicated approximately 80 deaths.

"Regarding the fatalities, according to our information, we have about 80 confirmed deaths linked to these protests. It's appalling that citizens leave their homes to engage in activities that could result in death for others or themselves," Impissa said.

However, the figures provided by the government differ significantly from those documented by civil society groups. A detailed report published on 21 January indicated that from 21 October 2024 to 16 January 2025, 315 people died as a result of the demonstrations, with 91% of fatalities attributed to police shootings. (MT)

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