The final police report on Monday's riots in the Angolan province of Huambo shows that five people were killed, eight injured and 34 arrested following protests over fuel subsidies.

In a press release, the Huambo National Police regret the deaths, which "could not be avoided" due to "acts of violence and affront to police forces".

On Monday, Huambo began to register acts of public disorder, which, according to the police, consisted of the paralysis of cab activities in various parts of the province, especially in the municipalities of Huambo and Caála, at various cab stops, where cab and motorcycle cab drivers had set up various barricades to harass colleagues who did not join "the violent protest, assaulting them with throwing objects while removing passengers from their vehicles".

This situation "prompted the prompt intervention of the police forces in order to safeguard the physical integrity of people and their property".

In addition to the victims, the police also reported glass being smashed in two public transport buses, an ambulance, the provincial offices of Urbanism and Environment, the Angolan news agency ANGOP, INAFOP and the Benguela Railway substation.

The police also mention the attempted vandalization of food stores and the 3rd police station, as well as the vandalization of five action committees of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party.

According to the report, 29 motorcycles were seized for direct involvement in acts of public disorder, and they will be held criminally responsible.

"The command of the National Police of Huambo sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families for the loss of their loved ones during the acts of public disorder recorded and reiterates its commitment to continue working to strengthen the sense of security in the communities, guaranteeing, under the terms of the law, the free exercise of citizens' rights and freedoms, and therefore calls on the population to remain calm and avoid getting involved in acts that promote violence and public disorder," the statement reads.

At issue is the increase in the price of gasoline since last Friday, following the government's withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

According to the government, the subsidy will continue to apply to taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, urban public transport, the fisheries sector and agriculture.

In order for taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers and owners of artisanal fishing boats to continue to pay 160 kwanzas per liter of gasoline (0.25 euros) instead of the price of 300 kwanzas (0.48 euros) per liter of gasoline, the government will issue personalized cards to this class of operators, who are licensed, with a daily subsidy of 7,000 kwanzas (11.3 euros) the difference to cover the new value stipulated for this fuel derivative. (sapo)