Renamo intimidating residents of Funhalouro, Inhambane

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Renamo intimidating residents of Funhalouro, Inhambane

7:43 CAT | 04 Apr 2016

Gunmen of the rebel movement Renamo are interfering with the normal transport of people and goods in the locality of Tsenane, in Funhalouro district in the arid interior of the southern province of Inhambane, according to a report in Friday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”.

The head of Tsenane locality, Salvador Mazive, told the paper that since mid-February, Renamo groups, containing between 10 and 20 armed men, have been stopping and searching vehicles on the Tsenane roads, questioning and intimidating the drivers and passengers.

Freedom of movement in Tsenane has thus come to an end. Frightened Tsenane residents have taken to abandoning their homes at night and sleeping in the bush. Schools and health areas are not working fully because their staff, fearing the worst, have taken refuge in the district capital, Funhalouro town.

Transporters and other business people have been obliged to give Renamo gunmen lifts to wherever they want to go. One trader who was purchasing timber in Funhalouro was told to take a Renamo group into the neighbouring province of Gaza. This plan broke down because the truck did not have enough fuel.

The new governor of Inhambane, Daniel Chapo, who visited Funhalouro this week, urged the local population to step up their vigilance, and collaborate with the authorities in guaranteeing order and security.

He urged citizens not to accept “guests” in their houses who were carrying illegal guns. Those who disregarded that warning might end up in court, he said, accused of complicity in the crime of illegal possession of firearms.

“Let us pay great attention to all unusual movements”, he said. “We should inform the community leaders of anything we think abnormal, and they in turn will know how to work on this information with the police”.

Chapo said that Renamo ambushes and threats were among the reasons for the rise in the prices of basic goods in Funhalouro. Many economic operators simply refused to enter areas where Renamo was active, for fear that their trucks might be destroyed. The few exceptions, who risked the journey, took the opportunity to hike their prices.

“The enemies who attack us today are the same who were always opposed to our independence”, said Chapo. “Today they don’t want to see Funhalouro and the whole of Inhambane province develop. They don’t want to see banks, good roads and other facilities here”.

“If we want progress, let us denounce the criminals”, he declared. “We cannot hide these men in our houses. Let’s say no to war, and yes to the development of our province and the country”.

Source: AIM