from ARMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique Bureau
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) – POLICE brutality is in the spotlight again in Mozambique after an officer allegedly shot dead a boy during traffic operations south of the country.
The tragedy in the southern Bolobe has triggered anger among citizens, resulting in mob justice that claimed the life of the officer who was accused of pulling the trigger.
According to reports, a driver of a minibus (spotting South African registration number plate) was ordered to stop for an inspection but ignored the orders by the officers and attempted to speed away.
In response, the officers allegedly opened live ammunition towards the vehicle, resulting in the young passenger, whose age and identity had not been ascertained, hit fatally by a bullet.
The images of the young man, who was in the vehicle having been travelling from neighbouring South Africa have gone viral.
Videos have gone viral also of the skirmishes that resulted in the killing of a police officer.
The opposition has denounced the brutality.
Among those that reacted to the tragedy is Venancio Mondlane, runner up in last year’s presidential election that was disputed and resulted in protests that left hundreds dead at the hands of police.
“I sympathize with the family of the boy who met his untimely death in Bobole, inflicted by criminals infiltrated within the PRM,” he said.
PRM is an abbreviation for the Police of the Republic of Mozambique.
“I expect exemplary punishment for his killers. This is a case for the PGR (Prosecutor-General) to demonstrate its service to the community and demand justice for the murdered boy,” Mondlane said.
Mondlane has recently registered his new party, National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique, amid weeks of a fallout between his supporters and police officers.
The Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO), the country’s second largest opposition, expressed “deep dismay and total repudence over the barbaric murder of a minor.”
“This heinous act, carried out by officers who should symbolise order and justice, demonstrates the alarming level of abuse of authority and disrespect for human life that still persists in our defense and security forces, RENAMO stated.
The party added, “The murder of a child is an unacceptable crime that seriously injures national consciousness and puts the population’s trust in state institutions.”
RENAMO said of the death of the police officer, “This episode clearly reveals the deep-rooted credibility crisis of our country’s law and order institutions.”
Investigations are underway.
General Commander of Police, Joaquim Adriano Sive, is quoted by his office dissuading citizens from taking justice into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.
“Due to this sad event, the General Command of the PRM expresses its consternation and condolences for the lives lost,” his office quoted him.
Mozambique is reeling from months of post-election protests after the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) extended its reign attained since independence in 1975.
Human rights groups report that more than 400 people have been killed, mostly after police opened fire on protesters during months of demonstrations.
Daniel Chapo, elected president after the disputed polls, subsequently initiated talks with his and FRELIMO’s rivals.
The discussions aimed at fostering peace and unity are troubled by accusations the ruling party is not committed.
– CAJ News