Repatriation of Mozambican refugees in Nsanje and Chikwawa, Malawi, postponed
Police agents arrested over Nampula and Matola murders – AIM report
6:04 CAT | 31 Jul 2020
Two members of the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR – the Mozambican riot police) murdered a municipal police officer in the northern city of Nampula on Tuesday morning, according to a report in Thursday’s issue of the independent daily “O Pais”.
The municipal policeman, Selemane Momade Hassane, was shot dead in the yard of his own house, in Namicopo neighbourhood. He was parking his car, but was intercepted at his gate by the two UIR agents who were patrolling the area.
He called on his wife and son to confirm his identity and that he lived there. Nonetheless, one of the UIR members pulled out his pistol and shot the 49 year old Hassane at point blank range.
Even after he had been shot in the chest, Hassane tried to drive to Nampula Central Hospital, accompanied by his son. But he was too weak, and died before he could reach the hospital.
Funeral ceremonies took place on Wednesday, at Hassane’s house, and among those attending was the Mayor of Nampula, Paulo Vahanle. “We can’t believe the way he was killed”, said Amade Mustafa, one of Hassane’s colleagues. He regarded the murder as “inexplicable”.
Dercio Samuel, a spokesperson for the Nampula Provincial Police Command, told “O Pais”, that the two UIR agents have been detained, and are now facing disciplinary and criminal proceedings, while an investigation into the shooting is carried out.
Policeman murders 27-year-old in Matola
This was the second police murder in the space of a week. On Sunday night, a policeman in the southern city of Matola shot dead a 27 year old man who was allegedly breaking the rules of the state of emergency by drinking with friends in an informal bar.
The police claim the man, named only as Jaime, was consuming alcohol, became involved in an argument with police officers, and tried to seize a gun from the police. His family agree that the man was drinking, but deny that he was fighting with the police.
One of the policemen involved in the alleged scuffle pulled out a gun and shot Jaime dead.
The Maputo Provincial Police Command told reporters that the man who fired the fatal shot was not even scheduled to be on patrol that night. Police spokesperson Juarce Martins told reporters that, when faced with a crowd, a police patrol should always contact its superior officers before taking any action. This procedure was not followed.
“Our men on patrol became involved in a fight with citizens who were allegedly disobeying the emergency measures”, said Martins. “In this fight, they shot and killed a man”.
Martins said the policeman who fired the shot has been detained. Like the UIR agents in Nampula, he is facing criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
The police have promised to pay for Jaime’s funeral.
Source: AIM
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