Mozambique: Armed men loot Manica health centre

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Armed men loot Manica health centre

10:22 CAT | 15 Jul 2020

Photo: O País

Armed men believed to be members of the self-styled “Renamo Military Junta” on Tuesday morning looted a health centre at Chipindaumue, in Gondola district, in the central Mozambican province of Manica.

The Gondola district administrator, Etelvina Ambasse, confirmed the raid, which occurred at about 02.00.

“No shots were fired”, she told AIM. “They arrived and threatened the health staff on duty. They looted the medicines and then fled”.

Ambasse could not put a figure on the losses suffered by the health unit. Any estimate would be premature, since work is still underway to assess the amount of medicines and other materials stolen.

“They were very quick”, said Ambasse. “They just went to the health centre. Some of the population didn’t realise that armed men were present and only found out in the morning”.

Since early morning, units of the Mozambican defence and security forces have been mobilised and are in pursuit of the raiders, she added. After initial agitation and fear, life in this areas “has returned to normal” Ambasse said. “The people are calm and have resumed their daily activities”.

The Military Junta is a breakaway from Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, under the leadership of Mariano Nhongo, who has promoted himself to the rank of general, and claims to be the true leader of Renamo.

The Junta dismisses the elected leader of Renam, Ossufo Momade, as “a traitor” and does not recognise the peace agreement he signed last August with President Filipe Nyusi. Its main activities have been ambushes against vehicles on the main roads through Manica and the neighbouring province of Sofala.

Source: VOA / AIM