Mozambique: MC Trufafá, one of Mondlane’s main mobilizers, shot in Quelimane – Watch

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Mozambique: MC Trufafá, one of Mondlane’s main mobilizers, shot in Quelimane – Watch

9:46 CAT | 14 Apr 2025

Photo: @AllexandreMZ / X

One of Venâncio Mondlane’s main mobilizers, Joel Amaral, was shot this Sunday by unknown assailants in Quelimane, in the center of the country. Mondlane confirmed the news, stating that it was yet another case of “political intolerance”.

“It is with deep sadness and indignation that I confirm the news about the shooting of our national mobilizer Joel Amaral, affectionately known as MC Trufafa,” wrote Venâncio Mondlane in a message on his official Facebook account.

The politician, a former presidential candidate who does not recognize the results of the general elections of October 9, thus confirmed the reports of the last few hours on social media, about the attack on Joel Amaral, who had supported him since 2023, when he was a candidate for the Maputo Municipality.

Joel Amaral, a musician and author of songs that mobilized Venâncio Mondlane’s supporters in the electoral campaigns for the local elections (2023) and later for the presidential elections (2024), was shot in the Cualane 2.º neighborhood, in the city of Quelimane, Zambézia province.;

There is no doubt that this cowardly act is a clear example of the political intolerance that permeates our country. How can we talk about the flame of national unity [a government initiative to mark the 50th anniversary of independence] while Mozambique smells of gunpowder? It is unacceptable that violence and persecution become part of the reality of any Mozambican, especially those who are dedicated to promoting peace, equality and justice,” Venâncio Mondlane added.

The politician stated that this is a scenario of “persecution” of his supporters and “of any citizen who exercises their right to freedom of expression”, which “must end”.

Shortly after the 2024 general elections, Venâncio Mondlane’s legal advisor, the well-known lawyer Elvino Dias, and Paulo Cuambe, a leader of Podemos, the party that supported his presidential candidacy, were fatally shot on the night of October 18, in an ambush on the vehicle they were traveling in in the center of Maputo, with machine gun fire, in a crime that caused commotion in Mozambican society and which remains unsolved.

“It is time to unite against violence and oppression, and to demand a Mozambique where everyone can live in safety and dignity. The fight for justice and peace is a responsibility of all of us, and we cannot allow fear and intolerance to prevail,” Mondlane said.

“May this sad episode serve as a call to action for all Mozambicans, so that together we can build a more just and peaceful future for our nation,” Venâncio Mondlane insisted in the same message.

Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognize the results of the October 9 general elections that gave victory to Daniel Chapo, who was sworn in as Mozambique’s fifth president in January, has called for protests since October 21 that, in five months, have resulted in around 390 deaths in clashes with the police, according to data from civil society organizations, and have also degenerated into looting and destruction of businesses and public infrastructure.

However, on March 23, Venâncio Mondlane and Daniel Chapo met for the first time and a commitment was made to end the violence in the country.

The Mozambican government previously confirmed at least 80 deaths, in addition to the destruction of 1,677 commercial establishments, 177 schools and 23 health units during the demonstrations.

E a saga dos esquadrões da morte continua contra membros e simpatizantes dos partidos da oposição. Até quando? Não era suposto que a perseguição terminasse depois do encontro entre #Chapo e Mondlane? #Trufafa https://t.co/g2ynoq0HLy pic.twitter.com/VzWFTPwILa

— Alexandre Nhampossa (@AllexandreMZ) April 13, 2025