Mozambique: New lawsuit threatened against Mondlane

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Mozambique: New lawsuit threatened against Mondlane

5:09 CAT | 17 Feb 2025

File photo: Noticias

The Public Prosecutor’s Office in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane has opened a civil lawsuit against former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, blaming him for the destruction of public property during riots by his supporters.

The Public Prosecutor is demanding that Mondlane pay more than four million meticais (about 63,000 US dollars, at the current exchange rate) for damage done to roads and other public infrastructure throughout the province during the unrest.

Inhambane prosecutor Pompilio Xavier said the lawsuit extends to the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) which, at the time of the riots, was supporting Mondlane.

Subsequently Mondlane has broken with Podemos, calling the party’s leaders “traitors”.

The damage done to the section of the main north-south road (EN1) passing through Inhambane comes to more than 2.8 million meticais. Other damage includes the destruction of two electrical transformers in Inharrime district, the vandalization of administrative post offices in Homoine, and the destruction of state-owned vehicles in Jangamo.

The initial cause of the unrest was the demand for “electoral truth” – following the accusations of widespread fraud during the general elections of 9 October. But the protesters soon added other demands – calling for a reduction in the cost of living, or for improved water supply or for electrification.

At the weekend, protesters hijacked trucks, seized the ignition keys from the drivers, and used them as barricades, blocking EN1 in Zavala district. The hijackers were demanding electricity in their locality.

Better news for the government came from the northern province of Nampula, where last Friday the authorities had regained control of the Quinga administrative post, in Liupo district.

Since late December Quinga had been in the hands of supporters of Mondlane. Following instructions from Mondlane, they had organised an election, not recognised by any other political force, at which a leader loyal to Mondlane was elected.

He began to issue orders, assisted by a group of young men acting as his security guards. But when a police unit showed up last week, this “leader” made himself scarce.

According to a local fisherman, Juma Alberto, cited in Monday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”, Mondlane’s man tried to prevent the opening of the school year. He even ordered the detention of teachers who were trying to start the school year.

Another local resident, Ayuba Saide, confirmed “Now the authorities are back, and the teachers and nurses too. Life is returning to normal”.

“Carta de Mocambique” added that order has also been restored in the Namirroa administrative post, in Erati district, which had come under attack from the Naparama peasant militia who set out to hunt down members of the ruling Frelimo Party.

The defence and security forces killed nine Naparama members in a clash last week.

Source: AIM