Former Mozambican presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has accused the Frelimo Party of multiple assassination attempts against him and violence against his supporters. He detailed an incident where police fired on his motorcade, claiming he was the targeted victim. Mondlane also mentioned an interrogation that seemed to serve intimidation purposes, with no charges filed against him as of yet.
In Mozambique, former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has levied accusations against the ruling Frelimo Party, alleging multiple assassination attempts against him. During an interview with the Centre for Public Integrity’s podcast, Mondlane asserted that there have been five distinct attempts on his life, with the most recent occurring on March 5, when members of the Rapid Intervention Unit allegedly opened fire on his motorcade in the Xiquelene neighborhood of Maputo.
The police claim their actions were intended to disperse a crowd of Mondlane’s supporters; however, Mondlane believes he was specifically targeted. He stated, “Frelimo is very interested in getting rid of me. Right now, Frelimo doesn’t even dare hold a parade, because nobody would attend.” Mondlane remarked upon narrowly escaping a severe injury during the incident, highlighting the dangerous nature of the police’s assault. His cameraman was injured in the gunfire, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Mondlane further alleged that since October, over 400 of his supporters have been killed by police forces, attributing these actions to the “political intolerance and anti-democratic practices” orchestrated by Frelimo. He expressed concerns regarding his recent interrogation at the Attorney-General’s Office (PGR), characterizing it as an intimidation tactic, noting that the prosecutor did not clarify any charges against him. Despite this, he left the PGR without facing any formal accusations.
Additionally, Mondlane reported that his treasurer, Gloria Nobre, was detained coinciding with his interrogation. His spokesperson, Denis Tivane, received notice that the Central Office for the Fight against Organised Crime had opened a case against him, necessitating his appearance before the office on Friday.
Venâncio Mondlane’s accusations against the Frelimo Party highlight a troubling environment for political dissent in Mozambique. The former candidate’s claims of assassination attempts, along with reports of widespread violence against his supporters, raise significant concerns about political stability and democratic practices in the nation. The ongoing intimidation tactics further illustrate the challenges faced by opposition figures in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
