Mozambican Justice Minister Mateus Saize has denounced the use of live ammunition against protesters, emphasizing it is not standard practice. Following protests against alleged electoral fraud, which resulted in over 300 deaths, the government advocates for less lethal crowd control options. Nonetheless, the use of lethal force has become a norm among riot police, raising significant concerns.
The Mozambican Justice Minister, Mateus Saize, has asserted that employing live ammunition to manage protesters is unacceptable. His statement comes in light of over 300 fatalities during recent protests coordinated by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane against the alleged fraudulent election results from October 9. Initially peaceful, these protests escalated into riots and thefts, shifting their focus from election grievances to the prevalent cost of living crisis.
The “Decide” Electoral Platform reports that from the onset of post-election protests in October, police have shot and killed at least 303 individuals and wounded 619 others. Furthermore, approximately 4,228 arrests have been made by authorities during this period of unrest. The Minister emphasized the government’s stance during a recent event, advocating for the utilization of rubber bullets and tear gas in such scenarios rather than lethal force.
Despite official recommendations, the deployment of real ammunition has become standard practice, especially among the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR), which serves as Mozambique’s riot police. The rising death toll and injuries during these protests raise serious concerns regarding the methods employed by law enforcement in dealing with civil unrest.
In conclusion, the Mozambican Minister of Justice, Mateus Saize, strongly condemned the use of live ammunition against protesters, highlighting the alarming death toll and injuries resulting from such practices. The shift in protest themes from electoral issues to living costs underscores a broader social unrest, while the government’s preference for non-lethal crowd control measures contrasts with the aggressive tactics employed by the police. Immediate reform in law enforcement methods is imperative to prevent further tragedy.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
