Population hit by tear gas used to quell mutiny in Machava Jail – Mozambique

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Population hit by tear gas used to quell mutiny in Machava Jail – Mozambique

3:28 CAT | 15 Dec 2016

O País

Children, adults and the elderly experienced were thrown into panic on Tuesday after inhaling tear gas and hearing shots from the Maputo Provincial Penitentiary Establishment, formerly known as Machava Central Jail, ‘O País’ reports. Those affected were in the immediate vicinity of the jail, either waiting to visit detainees or residents of the area.

The sound of shots and smell of tear gas started shortly after 8.:00 AM and lasted about an hour. Other residents said they were more frightened because this was the first time anything of the sort had happened at the jail.

The National Penitentiary Service acknowledged the incident, and said the institution would issue a statement later in the week. Enquiries at the jail revealed that the incident happened when Rapid Intervention Unit and National Penitentiary Service personnel, led by members of the Attorney General’s Office, were conducting searches in the prison.

According to data obtained by Noticias, prosecutors, accompanied by assistants from the Intelligence Service of the National Prison Service and agents of the Criminal Investigation Police (PIC), initiated a search operation in the prison with the assistance of the Security Force of the Service of Prevention and Management of Declared Violence of the Penitentiary Guard and the Rapid Intervention Unit.

Because of the late start of the operation, around 8:00 AM, convicts were already in the halls, and there was slight resistance and agitation when attempts were made to return them to their cells. Noticias reports.

As the mutiny assumed worrying proportions, agents were forced to use all available means to persuade the inmates to return to their cells, reports Noticias, the action resulting in minor injuries to two convicts, reads the same source.

The National Penitentiary Service however insists that “despite this change in order, the prison security situation is calm and controlled and the injured, after receiving hospital care, are back in their cells”.

Maputo Provincial Penitentiary has recently seen its management and other security elements detained by Maputo provincial prosecutors as a result of the escape of Abdul Tembe, the prime suspect in the murder of prosecutor Marcelino Vilanculos. In all, nine people were arrested and imprisoned for conniving in the escape, including Machava prison director Machaieie.

Source: O País / Noticias