The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) prevented the population affected by a heavy sands exploitation project from demonstrating in repudiation of the failure of the company leading the project to comply with its Social Responsibilities.

The PRM, according to Radio MozambiqueThe police used tear gas and arrested two individuals.

Footage of the demonstration seen by MZNews shows a crowd of people almost storming the mining company's yard and the police firing. Some people sustained injuries as a result of the riots. "People in Power" was the anthem of uplift and moralization.

The Rapid Intervention Unit brutally beat a citizen, as reported by a young man who recorded the situation from a distance.

One citizen told the broadcaster that they are simply demanding their rights, "what they had practically promised. They said they would asphalt the roads, employ 80% workers from Pebane, but there are only five percent."

The commander of the PRM, Nelito Ualuto, explained that the demonstration was ill-timed, as representatives of the group of demonstrators were holding talks with the company's bosses under the mediation of the local government.

MZNews has learned that the company exploiting heavy sands in Pebane is Chinese-owned and is called TZM Resources. It holds a concession for 15 years and the investment is estimated at 30 million US dollars.