Breaking: Beira business owners close in protest against kidnappings in Mozambique – Watch

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Breaking: Beira business owners close in protest against kidnappings in Mozambique – Watch

2:41 CAT | 22 Oct 2020

All photos: Conselho Municipal da Beira

A group of Beira businesspeople have announced at a press conference today that they are today starting a three-day stoppage of their activities to force the authorities to put an end to the wave of kidnappings in Beira and Maputo.

A spokesperson called the stoppage “a symbolic action” aimed at obliging the government to “do its part”. “The businesspeople believe that, for now, these measures are enough and proportional” but, if there are no results, they “reserve the right to decide other measures” he said.

The businesses which will close in Beira on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, include stores, bakeries, pharmacies and goods warehouses.

Many businessmen established in Mozambique for years have chosen to leave the country or to send their wives and children abroad to their own great distress, he pointed out.

“Kidnappers have become more violent and started to kill their victims. Recently they shot at the son of a well-known businessman who was running away from them. By the grace of God, he survived. In Maputo they shot and killed a well-known businessman,” the spokesman observed.

“These crimes occur in broad daylight and in front of witnesses. The kidnappers are not in the least concerned that the abductions may go wrong,” he said.

“It is not true that the families do not cooperate with the police. We know that, in Beira, families have given details to the police, despite the fear of reprisals. But to no avail.”

The businesspeople expressed their disgust at the kidnappings in a movement designated “Beira Against Abductions – because tomorrow it could be you”.

“We don’t want an end to kidnappings just in Beira; we want a stop to kidnappings in the whole of Mozambique,” the group’s spokesperson told the press conference.

“We ask that the authorities do not react against the protesters, but focus their energy on fighting the criminals, and not the victims who protest,” he concluded.