Tear Gas Used Against Supporters of Venâncio Mondlane in Maputo

The Mozambican police deployed tear gas to disperse supporters of Venâncio Mondlane outside the attorney general’s office during his hearings linked to post-election protests. Mondlane criticized the institution as biased and expressed low expectations regarding the legal proceedings he currently faces. He also highlighted previous complaints about violence against his supporters, indicating a lack of accountability from authorities.

On Tuesday, Mozambican police utilized tear gas outside the attorney general’s office in Maputo to disperse supporters of Venâncio Mondlane, who is currently involved in post-election legal proceedings. Early that morning, a heavy police presence halted traffic on Avenida Vladimir Lenine, where Mondlane’s supporters rallied to show their backing. At approximately 12:20 p.m., police intervention intensified, marking the attempt to clear the area around the attorney general’s headquarters.

Mondlane arrived at the attorney general’s office at 9 a.m. and experienced an outpouring of support from his followers. As he spoke to journalists, he asserted that the attorney general’s office is biased, indicating his lack of trust in the institution. Prior to entering, strong reinforcements, including the Rapid Intervention Unit, had arrived to manage the gathering and advised supporters to disperse.

Venâncio Mondlane faces hearings pertaining to multiple cases linked to post-election protests and social unrest. Expressing his low expectations, Mondlane indicated awareness of the eight active cases against him, though he was uncertain about which case he would address that day. He characterized these lawsuits as tactics intended to intimidate and terrify him.

He also recalled previous complaints submitted to the attorney general’s office, including one regarding an alleged assassination attempt during his presidential campaign. Mondlane voiced concerns over the lack of progress on 398 reported cases of violence against his supporters, accusing the public prosecutor’s office of bias.

The hearing at the attorney general’s office was originally scheduled for Monday but was postponed at Mondlane’s request. Moreover, on November 22, the Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office sought €1.5 million in damages related to demonstrations, marking the second civil suit of this nature aimed at Mondlane, following a previous claim for damages amounting to over 32 million meticais. The proceedings relate to Mondlane’s self-proclaimed “presidential decree,” which the attorney general’s office argued undermines democratic principles, as it called for the establishment of an autonomous court against police actions deemed extrajudicial.

In conclusion, the recent police action against supporters of Venâncio Mondlane highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding post-election protests in Mozambique. With Mondlane embroiled in multiple legal challenges, he continues to assert that these actions aim to intimidate his political activities. The lack of progress on his complaints regarding violence against his supporters further fuels accusations of partiality within the legal system. The case exemplifies the delicate balance between political dissent and state response in Mozambique’s current socio-political landscape.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com