Four alleged Renamo members found murdered in Inhambane

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Four alleged Renamo members found murdered in Inhambane

12:07 CAT | 09 Jun 2017

DW (File photo)

Four men thought to be members of the largest opposition party in Mozambique, Renamo, have been murdered and dumped in the forest in the southern province of Inhambane. Police confirm that the bodies were discovered last week by members of the public.

According to police spokesman Simeão Machava, the four bodies are those of males between the ages of 25 and 40. “[The bodies] were piled up and were discovered by members of the public in a little-frequented area,” he said.

People living in fear

The residents of the area now live in fear, not knowing what happened. The victims are not thought to be from the area.

In an interview with DW Africa, Mavume resident Monica Chuma says that a vehicle containing military personnel had circulated in the area that week. The bodies were found a few days later, and Chuma fears that the armed conflict may start up again.

“We found the bodies in Mabaina and went to tell the police at Mavume administrative post. A few days before we found the bodies, a vehicle with military personnel passed by and we do not know whether they killed those people or not,” he said.

Another resident, Joaquim Alberto, says he doesn’t know what happened or who the victims are. “I don’t know if they’re bad guys or if they’re from Renamo. The bodies weren’t found on this road, but on a small side road four kilometres away.”

The local community leader and the head of the administrative post were told not to speak to the press, one of the local leaders explained. The administrator and the commander of the Funhalouro district also refused to speak to DW. Renamo spokesperson António Muchanga has neither affirmed nor denied the disappearance of four members of his political party, saying detailed information would be forthcoming later.

Perpetrators not identified

The perpetrators of the crime are unknown, and police say it is premature to draw conclusions as investigations are still under way. “[Speculation] could disrupt the investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and how the bodies came to be in that location,” he explained.

Source: Deutsche Welle