The spokesman for the Council of Ministers said this Tuesday in Maputo that there is no intention to persecute or intimidate the health professionals who are joining the doctors' strike.

Filimão Suazi, who was speaking at the end of another session of the Council of Ministers, said there was no evidence of cases of persecution of doctors in the context of the health professionals' strike.

"So I think that the reference to the existence of persecution exercises should certainly be proven, so that the government can take the necessary measures in relation to these people who substitute themselves and are persecuting doctors," said the spokesman, adding that "we are in a state of law and I think it is notorious and proven by all of us, the way in which the government, in a responsible way, has been acting within the dictates of the rule of law."

Filimão Suazi, who was reacting to statements made by the medical profession that they were being persecuted for joining the strike, said that if there is factual information, it should be channeled to the health sector for proper treatment.