At least 176 people were shot dead by the Mozambique Republic Police (PRM) last week during the latest of the so-called "Turbo V8" demonstrations led by the presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, who is contesting the election results.

The protests began on December 23, after the Constitutional Council, the country's highest electoral body, gave victory to the ruling Frelimo party and its candidate, Daniel Chapo.

According to data from the "Decide" electoral platform, the riots lasted four days. This phase of the protests was the deadliest since the demonstrations in support of Mondlane began on October 21.

The total number of deaths since October 21 is 278 across the country. The death toll is thought to have been particularly high at this stage because it coincided with a mass escape of prisoners from Maputo Central Prison and the adjacent High Security Prison.

According to the NGO, the city of Matola, in the south of the country, recorded the highest number of deaths, with a total of 37 cases, while the province of Manica recorded the lowest number, with only one fatality.

"In terms of shootings, 240 people were shot during the 'turbo V8' phase, bringing the total number to 586 since the start of the protests. The city of Maputo recorded 62 cases of shootings, the highest number recorded by province, while the northern province of Niassa recorded the lowest number, with just one case," reads the report, quoted by the Portuguese daily AIM.

During the "Turbo V8", 167 people were arrested, bringing the number of people arrested since the demonstrations began to 4,201. The central province of Sofala stands out with 54 arrests, the highest number, while the southern province of Inhambane registered just one case.

(Photo DR)