Police plead self-defence in deaths of seven young men

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Police plead self-defence in deaths of seven young men

5:36 CAT | 16 Aug 2017

O País

The Mozambique police force has reiterated that the seven individuals shot dead last Friday in Matola were criminals, and that its agents fired in self-defence.

The police were responding to widespread criticism over the deaths of the seven young men. General Command spokesman Inacio Dina said members of the police were forced to defend themselves when the suspects they were chasing opened fire.

At present, the police are trying to identify the families of the seven victims. Despite the surprise attack by the group, which is suspected of committing several murders in Matola, the police say that no officers were injured or corporation property damaged.

Last week, the police broke up two gangs involved in the theft of ‘chapas’ in Maxixe, Inhambane. The first group, comprising people between the ages of 27 and 34, carried out raids in Maputo city and province and was neutralised on August 14 in Inhambane when it attempted to sell a Toyota Hiace stolen a week earlier in Marracuene. The second gang was active in Inhambane.

During the week, the police registered 131 criminal cases and seized eight firearms, and recorded road 25 accidents resulting in 20 deaths.

Source: O País