The governor’s exclusive sidewalk hits the headlines, the disgruntled citizens hit the road – Mozambique

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The governor’s exclusive sidewalk hits the headlines, the disgruntled citizens hit the road – Mozambique

12:35 CAT | 04 Mar 2020

Photo: DW

Pedestrians are prohibited from using the sidewalk outside Governor Manuel Rodrigues’ resident in Nampula, and are forced to walk in the road. According to the police, the measure is necessary to ensure the safety of the provincial governor.

The restrictive measure is nothing new. For more than ten years, VIP Protection Force personnel charged with guaranteeing Manuel Rodrigues’ security have been preventing citizens from using the sidewalk in front of the governor’s city centre residence.

Citizens complain that the security agents, instead of staying at their observation posts at the boundaries of the residence and inside its garden and backyard, are aggressively pushing pedestrians into the road.

“One day I was nearly run over because they [security guards] stopped me using the sidewalk,” Nampula resident Júlio Pedro, a neighbourhood regular, says.

“I tried to find safety on the sidewalk, but I was forcibly pushed back into the road. This is a mistake that the Nampula government is making, especially the forces stationed there,” reports the citizen.

Prohibition is only in one place

But residents remark that the ban on using the sidewalk only covers the stretch in front the governor’s residence. Julio Pedro notes that other institutions pose no such problem, and calls on the authorities to let pedestrians use the sidewalk.

“At the Military Academy, a place where it [pedestrians using the sidewalk] should be banned, citizens walk along with no problem. People walk normally past the provincial command [of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique]. I would like the sidewalk outside the governor’s residence to be open to everyone, so that citizens don’t get run over, and I would also like the members of the VIP Protection Force to be told not to prohibit its use. Losing a life in front of the governor’s residence would be a stain on their reputation,” he says.

Giv.dw_ — *Pedestrians walk on the road, outside the governor’s official residence. [Photo: DW]*

Governor’s security

In response to questions, Nampula provincial police spokesman Zacarias Nacute said that the governor’s residence is the focus of strong security measures because it is a sovereign institution.

“It needs special attention because of who is in the building. This is at the root of the heightened security situation. It is in this context that, in some places, using the sidewalk is prohibited,” Nacute said.

The police also deny any aggression towards citizens using the sidewalk.

Nacute however still advises citizens to use the road.

“You will notice that this area is heavily protected by the police, with all precautions to prevent incidents from happening being taken. We have never had an accident since these measures were implemented,” he notes.

But commentator Arlindo Murririua is critical of the authorities, and is asking the governor to intervene in the matter immediately. “Nobody should be prevented from using the sidewalk outside the governor’s home. Besides, the governor was elected by the people, so what is he now so afraid of?”

Source: Deutsche Welle