Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican police closed off vehicle access to the Attorney General’s office in Maputo this Tuesday, one hour before politician Venâncio Mondlane was scheduled to arrive for his interview, with police reinforcements in the area.
Vladimir Lenine Avenue, the only access to the PGR headquarters, was closed around 9:00 a.m. local time, after dozens of police officers reinforced with water cannon, Rapid Intervention and canine units were positioned in the area.
Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane is being interviewed for the third time today at the PGR in Maputo, as part of the post-election protests proceedings, asserting that he has a “clear conscience” and that “this is not the time to run away”.
“I will be there, with a clear conscience. I also want to prove to you that there was never any danger of my fleeing. I’ve had several occasions to be out of the country and not return. And even against the will of the people, I say that now is not the time to flee. The time I was in exile [during the post-election protests] was a suitable, concrete time, when I should be out of the country,” Venâncio Mondlane said in a statement to Lusa on Monday, after a few weeks in Europe, holding meetings in Portugal and Germany.
Mondlane is being heard from 10:00 a.m. at the PGR headquarters in Maputo, to “learn the responses” to the requests. He said he will be accompanied by a lawyer.
This will be the third time he has been heard by the PGR in connection with, according to his previous data, more than 30 cases involving protests challenging the election results, stating that he expects “something a little sinister”.
“Whatever happens to me, I’m ready,” he said, adding: “If I get in and out [of the Attorney General’s Office], glory to God. If I get in and not get out, glory to God too.
In the same statements, Venâncio Mondlane admitted expecting chaos again upon his visit to the Attorney General’s Office, with police shooting at his supporters, a scenario similar to that experienced on Monday when he arrived in Maputo.
“We’ll see, but I believe people will rush there en masse, but, as I said at the airport, I’m not worried about my personal life, because I’m already psychologically and spiritually prepared for it,” he emphasized.
Mozambique has experienced a climate of intense social unrest since the October elections, with demonstrations and strikes called by Mondlane, who rejects the election results that gave victory to Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Frelimo party.
According to non-governmental organizations monitoring the electoral process, approximately 400 people lost their lives as a result of clashes with the police. These conflicts ended after meetings between Mondlane and Chapo on March 23 and May 20, aimed at pacifying the country.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
