By Ricardo Dias
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Prosecutor's Office in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane has filed a civil lawsuit against former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, demanding compensation of 4 million meticais for alleged damage to public infrastructure during the post-election unrest.
Public Prosecutor Pompílio Xavier made the announcement on Monday in statements to the press.
According to the prosecutor, damaged road sections, the destruction of two electrical transformer stations, and of state vehicles were identified. The authorities attribute the damage to protests organized by Mondlane and the PODEMOS party.
"We understand that there are facts committed, directly or indirectly, by the people involved, and for that reason, we have filed the lawsuit," said Pompílio Xavier.
The affected sections of road include areas such as Mavila, Inharrime town, Chongola, Revene, Lindela, Maxixe, Juacane, Morrumbene, Cumbana Agrícola, and Pambarra, all on the main north-south highway (EN1).
In addition, acts of vandalism were recorded at the Nhampossa Catholic Church and at the area known as Mercadinho, on National Road EN5, between Lindela and Inhambane. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the damage recorded on the EN1 and EN5 totals 2,804,346 meticais.
The Prosecutor's Office mentioned other damage, including the vandalism of two electrical transformer stations in Inharrime, the destruction of state vehicles in Jangamo, and attacks on administrative post headquarters in Homoíne.
The lawsuit was formally filed with the Inhambane Provincial Law Court on November 29, initially with a claim for damages of 4,125,505 meticais. However, the authorities indicate that the damage done to tollgates have not yet been included, which may increase the amount of compensation demanded.
Other Lawsuits Against Mondlane
This civil action is in addition to one filed on 22 November, in which the Maputo Provincial Prosecutor's Office accused Mondlane of causing damage during the protests and demanded compensation of 105 million meticais. A third lawsuit in Maputo city seeks the payment of 32 million meticais for the same reasons.
Upon his return to the country on 9 January, Mondlane stated that he was ready to respond to all charges in court. "I am available to submit myself to justice, respond to the accusations, and prove to the authorities who the real culprits of the heinous crimes committed to this day are," said the politician.
The Impact of the Protests and Police Repression
The post-election protests were marked by road blocks and protests against the election results. Acts of vandalism, looting, and destruction of public and private infrastructure were reported in several regions of the country.
The police response was violent, resulting, according to the Decide Observation Platform, in at least 327 deaths (most of whom were shot by the security forces), 620 injuries, and more than 4,000 arrests.
While the Public Prosecutor’s Office moves forward with actions against Mondlane and PODEMOS, there is no information yet on investigations or accountability of state agents for the deaths and injuries of protesters. (RD)
