Mozambican police claim to employ legitimate crowd control methods; however, reports of police violence, including the use of live ammunition, have emerged during protests. Civil society organizations accuse the police of severe human rights abuses. Despite calls for dialogue from government officials, aggressive tactics continue to dominate police actions.
A Mozambican police spokesperson asserted that the force employs only legitimate means to disperse crowds during ongoing protests. Despite this declaration, Leonel Muchina acknowledged that “unforeseen situations” could lead to injuries or fatalities. He emphasized that when demonstrators engage in vandalism, the police are equipped to respond appropriately using methods such as tear gas.
Civil society organizations, notably the Human Rights Commission of the Mozambican Bar Association (CDH-OAM), have raised concerns regarding police repression targeting peaceful protesters. They have accused the police of committing severe human rights violations, including murder and torture, particularly against supporters of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. The “Decide” Electoral Platform reported alarming figures, with 361 fatalities and 619 injuries due to police actions since mass protests began on October 21.
Reports detail the police’s usage of live ammunition during crowd control, contrary to claims of reliance on non-lethal measures. Recently, a tragic incident occurred in the southern municipality of Matola, where a young man was fatally shot by an officer from the Rapid Intervention Unit while youths were peacefully celebrating an unofficial event in memory of national heroes. Eyewitness accounts highlight that the group was merely listening to music and not obstructing traffic.
The actions of the police represent a significant governance challenge, drawing criticism from governmental authorities. Minister of Justice Mateus Saize branded the use of live ammunition as “not normal,” arguing that the state supports non-lethal crowd control methods. Furthermore, new police chief Joaquim Sive advocated for dialogue between the police and protesters, urging officers to facilitate communication rather than resort to violent measures.
However, despite these directives, the Maputo city police appear to largely disregard the calls for restraint and dialogue, continuing to implement aggressive crowd control tactics during protests across the nation.
In summary, the Mozambican police have publicly maintained that their crowd control methods are legitimate. However, mounting evidence and accusations from human rights groups indicate a pattern of severe police violence, including the use of live ammunition against protesters. Government officials have publicly condemned these tactics, advocating for dialogue and non-lethal measures, yet police behavior suggests a troubling disconnect between policy and practice.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
