Venâncio Mondlane, second in the recent presidential elections in Mozambique, has accused the attorney general’s office of bias against him. He faces multiple lawsuits while asserting he is being targeted to intimidate him. Mondlane’s allegations also include claims of violence against his political organization and challenges against official election results.
Venâncio Mondlane, the former presidential candidate who secured second place in Mozambique’s elections last October, has publicly criticized the attorney general’s office for perceived bias against him. He contends that the office acted swiftly against him, while ignoring his previous accusations, raising concerns about unequal treatment under the law. During a press statement at Maputo airport upon returning from Botswana, Mondlane expressed skepticism about his forthcoming legal summons, acknowledging his involvement in eight ongoing lawsuits and asserting that they were intended to intimidate him.
Mondlane has submitted various complaints to the attorney general’s office that include serious allegations of an attempted assassination during the election campaign and reports of extreme violence against his political organization, resulting in numerous fatalities. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress in these cases, which contributed to his claims of institutional partiality. Despite being summoned for a hearing related to a criminal case, he remained composed, highlighting the multitude of lawsuits directed at him.
His upcoming hearing, rescheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Public Prosecution Service in Maputo, is part of ongoing legal proceedings including complaints about protests he organized in response to the election results. Mondlane had not publicly addressed the situation since a police confrontation during one of these demonstrations, stating, “There was no reason to flee” from Mozambique. He emphasized his commitment to his constituents, indicating a willingness to cooperate with legal proceedings.
Additionally, the Public Prosecution Service is pursuing financial reparations amounting to €1.5 million, alleging that Mondlane’s demonstrations caused significant damages. This is compounded by a previous lawsuit seeking approximately €486,000. The attorney general’s office has also initiated proceedings against him concerning a document he circulated, which purported to establish a controversial set of proposed governance measures. This document has been characterized by authorities as a violation of constitutional prerogatives.
As the recognized second-place candidate in the elections, Mondlane presents a significant challenge to the government’s official election results, which declared Daniel Chapo, backed by the governing Frelimo party, the winner. Since the onset of protests against these results, reports indicate a tragic toll, with at least 353 deaths attributed to clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators, as documented by a monitoring NGO. The government has confirmed 80 of these fatalities.
Venâncio Mondlane’s accusations against the attorney general’s office underscore concerns regarding judicial impartiality in Mozambique. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Mondlane remains committed to advocating for his supporters and highlighting what he perceives as injustice. The political landscape remains tense as the government faces scrutiny following violent protests and allegations of mismanagement following the presidential elections.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
