Mondlane Accuses Frelimo Party of Assassination Attempts and Intimidation

Venâncio Mondlane accuses the Frelimo Party of multiple assassination attempts on him, most recently involving an incident where police fired upon his motorcade. He claims that over 400 supporters have been killed since October due to Frelimo’s oppressive actions. Mondlane also expresses concerns regarding recent interrogations by authorities as tactics of intimidation.

Former Mozambican presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has reiterated his claim that the ruling Frelimo Party has attempted to assassinate him on five occasions. In a recent interview with the Centre for Public Integrity’s podcast, Mondlane detailed a particularly alarming incident on March 5, when members of the Rapid Intervention Unit reportedly opened fire on his motorcade in Maputo’s Xiquelene neighborhood. The police maintained that their actions were intended to disperse a crowd of Mondlane supporters, while he firmly believes he was targeted.

Mondlane alleged, “Frelimo is very interested in getting rid of me.” He remarked on the ruling party’s fear of public gatherings, stating, “Right now, Frelimo doesn’t even dare hold a parade, because nobody would attend.” He conveyed the gravity of the March 5 incident, describing it as a near-death experience with live ammunition, asserting, “My cameraman was hit, and he was just ten metres behind me.”

Further, Mondlane voiced concerns over escalating violence, noting the police have killed over 400 of his supporters since October due to what he categorized as political intolerance and dictatorial practices enforced by Frelimo. He expressed skepticism regarding his recent interrogation by the Attorney-General’s Office, viewing it as intimidation, as he was neither informed of any specific charges nor formally charged and left without any legal repercussions.

Moreover, he reported that his treasurer, Gloria Nobre, was detained during his questioning. Simultaneously, his spokesperson, Denis Tivane, was informed that the Central Office for the Fight against Organised Crime had opened a case against him, and he has been summoned to present himself to the office on Friday.

In summary, Venâncio Mondlane’s allegations against the Frelimo Party emphasize concerns over political violence and intimidation within Mozambique. His claims of assassination attempts, coupled with the alarming statistics of supporter fatalities, paint a troubling picture of the current political landscape. The lack of formal charges against him and the detention of his associates further highlight the tense and potentially dangerous environment he faces.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com