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DW / Seat of the district government of Funhalouro
Half the population of Tsenane in Inhambane province were forced to leave their homes on the night of May 26 when four armed men entered their village, burned houses and shot a 6-year-old in the arm.
Carlitos Ngovene, older brother of the child who was shot, told the story to DW Africa.
“They torched our homes, and burned an abandoned house too. They broke into my parents’ house and kicked open the bedroom door where my brother and uncle were sleeping, asked if they had any phones and then stole a suitcase full of clothes. They said they were leaving but minutes later they fired two shots and hit my brother child as he was running away. “
Carlitos and his family were forced to seek refuge in the Funhalouro village headquarters, because they no longer feel safe in Tsenane, but Funhalouro region has also been the scene of clashes between government forces and the armed wing of the main opposition party.
In the bush by night, in the district by day
Similar situations have been experienced by the head of the village, Salvador Elias Mazive, and other civil servants who have been staying in Funhalouro for two months for the relative safety it offers. They say they are afraid of being kidnapped by Renamo.
According to Mazive, about half of Tsenane’s two thousand inhabitants spend the night in the bush. Some are collaborating with Renamo guerrillas, he says.
“It is known that someone from Malamulo is living with Renamo men. This does not mean that all the population has left the region, but they are still living in fear. So, for example, in the headquarters village they sleep in the bush, but during the day activities carry on normally. “
Government accuses, Renamo denies
Funhalouro district administrator Fernando Omar maintains that anyone who destroys homes is collaborating with Renamo, and says that “the political and military tension is felt here because there are Renamo men in Tsenane”.
“Not long ago we had a raid where they burned three houses, but the people who have done it are known because they are relatives of the target. It was revenge – they burned the homes of his uncles and nephews. Another time, the administrative post of Tome was attacked at dawn. They fired shots in the air and because the people there already knew what was going to happen they abandoned their homes. The gunmen did not find anyone and left without problem.”
Contacted by phone, Renamo spokesman Antonio Muchanga denied that anybody from his party had attacked Tsenane and said there were no Renamo guerrillas in the region.
But Luis, the manager of the largest shopping centre in the region, says the clashes are hampering trade. There are fewer and fewer customers in the markets and at the stalls, Alfeu says. “We have little customer traffic, but we do not know if it’s because of this war or not. Before we had many customers so we are asking for peace for development to go forward.”
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