Tragic Murders of Mondlane Supporters Amplify Political Violence in Mozambique

Two supporters of Venâncio Mondlane were shot dead in Inhambane, bringing the total number of his supporters killed to 13. The attacks highlight increasing violence against political figures, following a police assault on Mondlane’s motorcade. Despite a summons for interrogation, Mondlane plans to ignore it due to safety concerns following the recent violence.

In a tragic incident on Saturday, two supporters of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane were shot and killed by unknown assailants in Massinga district, Inhambane province, Mozambique. The victims, identified as 28-year-old Daniel Guambe and 21-year-old Rafito Sitoe, were targeted while sitting in their car. The perpetrators remain at large, and local police have not yet issued a statement regarding the murders. These deaths bring the total number of Mondlane supporters killed to 13, as reported by the NGO “Decide” Electoral Platform.

The organization reported on the devastating aftermath of these killings, highlighting Guambe’s surviving family, which includes a wife and two young children, the youngest being a four-month-old daughter. Sitoe also had recently welcomed a child into his family. This violence follows a troubling pattern of attacks against Mondlane and his supporters, with chaos reigniting in Maputo just days earlier when riot police targeted Mondlane’s motorcade, injuring at least 16 individuals.

The police confrontation raised suspicions of a possible assassination attempt on Mondlane, although authorities later refuted specific claims regarding child casualties. Previous incidences of violence include the October 2022 murders of Mondlane’s lawyer, Elvino Dias, and another political ally, Paulo Guambe, with no arrests made for those crimes thus far. Amidst the unrest, rumors circulated that Mondlane had fled the country; however, he had merely traveled to Botswana to meet with former President Ian Khama and was scheduled to return to Mozambique by Sunday.

Despite being summoned for an interrogation by the Attorney-General’s Office, Mondlane’s legal adviser announced that he intends to disregard the summons due to the police’s recent attack on his motorcade.

The situation surrounding Venâncio Mondlane and his supporters has reached a critical point, marked by violence and tragic losses. With the recent murders of Guambe and Sitoe, alongside a history of attacks on Mondlane’s associates, there are rising concerns for the safety of political figures in Mozambique. Mondlane’s attempts to navigate this turmoil, including a brief departure from the country, illustrate the precarious political climate as he faces ongoing threats and legal challenges.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com