Mozambique: Attacks on presidents’ daughters highlight rising violence against women – By Joseph Hanlon

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Mozambique: Attacks on presidents’ daughters highlight rising violence against women – By Joseph Hanlon

8:44 CAT | 31 Jan 2017

DW (File photo)/ For illustrative purposes only

“Violence against women and girls is rising,” warns Forum Mulher (Women’s Forum). “The latest tragic and shocking events have shown that violence against women and girls in the country affects all social strata.” The events cited were the murder by her husband of Valentina Guebuza, daughter of former President Armando Guebuza, and Rofino Licuco on trial for savagely assaulting Josina Machel, the daughter of Mozambique’s first President, Samora Machel and former education minister Graca Machel.

Josina testified in court that Licuco attacked her in October 2015 and beat her on the face so badly that she was blinded in her right eye. Josina is demanding compensation of MT 300 mn ($4.3 mn). She told the court that she would use the money to support women who are the victims of violence.
Asked whether the accused would be able to pay such a large sum of money, Josina replied “Yes, the Rofino I know can pay”. But Licuco denies the charge, and says that that Josina had been drinking and tripped and fell. He claims to be the victim and has opened libel proceedings against Josina for statements that she allegedly made in the South African press. The trial has been adjourned until 2 February. (O Pais 17, 19 Jan; AIM En 16 Jan)

Meanwhile Diario de Noticias (26 Jan) reports that the prosecution says that jealousy and a bruised ego led Zofimo Muiuane to kill Valentina Guebuza. In October 2016 he hid her passport, air ticket and mobile phone and locked her in her room to prevent her going to South Africa, because he thought she was going to meet a lover. Valentina asked the two god parents (padrinhos) to mediate and they met the couple on 14 December, and Valentina was highly critical of Zofimo. The meeting failed and the god parents left. Zofimo attacked his wife with his fists and then shot her. He then told an aide of Valentina: “I was offended in front of the god parents … she humiliated me.”

More than 9500 women reported gender-based violence last year, up 40% on 2015, according to Forum Mulher. Maria Paula Vera Cruz, president of the forum, attributes this rise in part to publicity campaigns which are leading more women to denounce violence. (Noticias 27 Jan)

By Joseph Hanlon

Source: News reports & clippings