- Mondlane is in good health but in an undisclosed location, says his advisor
By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Maputo City spokesperson for the Mozambique Republic Police (PRM), Leonel Muchina, denied on Thursday that the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR - the riot police) fired at the motorcade of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane on Wednesday afternoon along Julius Nyerere Avenue, in the Hulene Expresso area of Maputo City.
A motorcade led by Venâncio Mondlane, joined by thousands of people, was interrupted by gunfire from a riot police squad, a scene that was broadcast live on Mondlane's own Facebook page, showing people covered in blood, allegedly victims of police action.
"There were no gunshots, only crowd dispersal," claimed Muchina in an interview with MOZTIMES, also denying the existence of any injuries. Videos widely shared on social media and eyewitness accounts describe a scene of violent repression, with shots fired at the participants in the convoy.
"The police suddenly started shooting. It was not just tear gas but also live bullets," reported Romeu Silva, a DW journalist who was covering the event, to MOZTIMES.
According to "Plataforma Decide", a non-governmental organisation that tracks the post-election violence, at least 16 people were injured by bullets fired by the police.
Mondlane's convoy took place on the same day that an agreement was signed between the government and opposition parties to resolve the post-electoral crisis. Mondlane was not invited to this event, although several tiny parties, which most Mozambicans have never heard of, attended the ceremony. The exclusion of Mondlane sparked outrage among his supporters.
Since October 2024, post-election repression has resulted in the deaths of over 300 people in Mozambique, according to figures released by Plataforma Decide. The government acknowledges only 80 deaths.
The violent crackdown on Mondlane's motorcade has drawn criticism both nationally and internationally. Portugal's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack as "unacceptable" and calling for respect for fundamental rights.
Journalist Lázaro Mabunda believes that the police action reflects the government's lack of commitment to a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
"This episode demonstrates that there is no real willingness to resolve the crisis. Violence has been used as a control strategy. How can peace be pursued without including those who have popular support?" Mabunda questioned in an interview with MOZTIMES. "The government engages in dialogue with irrelevant figures and ignores the real opposition," he added.
After the police shooting at his motorcade, Mondlane became unreachable, raising concerns about his whereabouts. However, according to Abdul Nariz, his press advisor, the former candidate was located safely on Thursday.
"There was prior contact, and he is in good health," Nariz assured MOZTIMES, without revealing Mondlane's current location.
This was not the first attack on Mondlane by the UIR. In October 2024, the UIR fired tear gas at the then-presidential candidate during a press conference in Maputo. This was the prelude to Mondlane leaving the country for two months. (NM)
