Mozambique: Traditional leader says she was jailed for supporting opposition in election – CIP Eeições

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Mozambique: Traditional leader says she was jailed for supporting opposition in election – CIP Eeições

8:32 CAT | 04 Dec 2019

Queen Macuta. [File photo; Radio Encontro]

Ana Margarida Fernando Martunato, also known as Queen Macuta, was forced to cease her duties as “Queen” of Mogovolas, Nampula, allegedly for supporting an opposition party.

Macuta was detained for seven days in the civil jail of Mogovolas, and was forced to resign her post and surrend her uniform and insignia. The arrest took place at the beginning of September while the election campaign was underway. The queen understands that the removal of their functions has political motivations.

Interviewed by the Bulletin, Macuta said that the Mogovolas District administrator had made the complaint. “It was not the government that removed the uniform, it was the Chief of Staff who went to complain to the administrator and ordered the police to take me to jail,” Macuta said. “After seven days in jail they took me to court, and there they demanded that I hand over the uniform, saying that if you do not hand in your uniform, we will return you to jail.”

The queen told the newsletter that she delivered the uniform and was required to pay a security deposit of over 1,000 meticais.

During the election campaign, the queen says she was supporting the ruling party, Frelimo, as she always did in the years when elections were held. However, she says she was banned from campaigning for Frelimo. “The district secretary of the Frelimo party in Mogovolas did not want me to campaign.”

Since September, the queen has not performed her duties in the governorate of Mogovolas. “Right now who has taken my place is my nephew, Ezequiel Mário, who is not doing his job properly,” Macuta said, explaining that Community members still turn to her when she has problems to resolve.

Frelimo District Secretary João Pereira denied having prevented the Queen from campaigning for Frelimo. “Her behaviour did not please Frelimo members, she is confused,” said Pereira.

Ana Margarida is 51 years old, single, has no children and lives with two grandchildren, children of her nieces. Macuta served as Queen in Mogovolas from 2008

Queen Macuta was sympathetic to an opposition party from 2003 to 2005. But since then she has supported Frelimo, she says.

Source: 2019 General Elections - Mozambique Political Process Bulletin