Mozambican police investigate abduction of Frelimo leaders

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Mozambican police investigate abduction of Frelimo leaders

2:32 CAT | 15 Jan 2016

Lusa (File)

Police in Sofala in central Mozambique are investigating Frelimo complaints that its leaders in several districts of the province have been abducted, a police source told Lusa on Thursday.

According to spokesman for the provincial police headquarters, Daniel Macuáca, authorities have received a complaint from the provincial committee of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) in Sofala, accusing Renamo of kidnapping and intimidating its leaders in the districts of Gorongosa, Maringue, Cheringoma, Chemba, Mwanza, Nhamatanda and Chibabava.

“An investigation is underway, and the police will hold a press conference in a few days to deal comprehensively with the matter,” Macuácua said.

Last week, the Frelimo Secretary for Mobilisation and Propaganda in Sofala, Fatima Battalhão, announced at a press conference in Beira that on December 11 the first party secretary in Mwanza was kidnapped, his whereabouts remaining unknown.

Two other Frelimo leaders were kidnapped on 25 December in Tica and Nhamatanda districts, but were released days later, in circumstances still unclear.

The most recent case took place on January 5, when the Bebedo first secretary, also in Nhamatanda district, was abducted. He was released days later, bearing the marks of torture.

Renamo rejects the Frelimo allegations.

Mozambique has been experiencing political and military unrest since 2013, continuing with the refusal of Renamo to concede defeat in the general elections of October 2014, and its insistence on the creation of six autonomous provinces in the centre and north of the country represented by 81 of its 89 parliamentary deputies.

Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the largest Mozambican opposition party, has threatened to seize power in the six provinces this March.

Source: Lusa