Murder of Mondlane Supporter in Inhambane Highlights Political Violence

The NGO “Decide” has reported the murder of Leão de Deus, a supporter of Venâncio Mondlane, in Inhambane. His murder marks the thirteenth recorded death of Mondlane supporters, reflecting a troubling pattern of violence against political dissenters in Mozambique.

In the Zavala district of Inhambane, Mozambique, the NGO “Decide” has reported the murder of a supporter of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. The victim, Leão de Deus, was kidnapped on Saturday and subsequently shot in the Chissibuca region. This incident highlights the ongoing violence faced by political supporters in the area.

The statement from “Decide” indicated that Leão de Deus was targeted due to his strong support for Mondlane’s political movement. The Mozambican police have yet to provide any comments regarding this murder. Following this incident, the count of Mondlane supporters killed by alleged death squads has risen to thirteen.

Last week in Massinga district, unidentified assailants also killed two other supporters of Mondlane, raising concerns about political safety. Furthermore, historical incidents include the murders of Elvino Dias, Mondlane’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, the Podemos party election agent, in Maputo, where no arrests have been made despite the killings occurring in a busy area.

Additionally, on March 15, a series of kidnappings resulted in the deaths of individuals opposing the current political order. João de Deus Nhachengo was killed, and Ivo Armando Nhantumbo faced a brutal fate, marking a worrying trend of violence against dissenters. Overall, the count of opposition members killed since the elections has now reached fourteen.

The murder of Leão de Deus, a supporter of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, underscores an alarming pattern of violence against political dissenters in Mozambique, with the count of Mondlane supporters killed rising to thirteen. This incident reflects the broader issue of political repression in the region and the ongoing threats faced by individuals supportive of opposition movements. Without proper investigations and accountability, such violence poses significant challenges to democratic processes in the country.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com