Mozambique: Police commander detained in election observer murder case

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Police commander detained in election observer murder case

1:47 CAT | 06 Nov 2019

File photo: Sala da Paz

The commander of the Special Operations Group (GOE) in the southern province of Gaza was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of election observer Anastacio Matavel in October, a police source has told Lusa.

Police spokesman, Orlando Modumane told Lusa that Tudelo Guirrugo was arrested in the city of Xai-Xai, the provincial capital of Gaza, after a hearing in the investigation into the murder of Anastácio Matavel.

Guirrugo has been suspended from GOE command since last October 8 by order of PRM Commander General Bernardino Rafael following the assassination of Matavel by agents of the corporation.

Rafael also ordered the suspension of the commander of the Rapid Intervention Force (FIR) in Gaza, Alfredo Macuácuá, who has not been detained.

Anastácio Matavel, executive editor of the Gaza Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (Fonga) and representative of the Sala de Paz electoral observation platform, was shot dead on 7 October by a group of four GOE police and one civilian as he left an election observer training day in the city of Xai-Xai.

Two of the police officers involved in the crime were killed when their car overturned and two others were detained after being injured in the same accident. One civilian involved in the killing is still at large.

Matavel’s death has attracted widespread condemnation, both in Mozambique and abroad. A civil society activist involved in election observation, Anastácio Matavel was assassinated during the election campaign in a province known for its intolerance of opponents of the ruling Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo) party.

Source: Lusa