The Judicial Court of the District of Nacala-Porto has banned the mayor of Nacala-Porto and Renamo's front-runner, Raul Novinte, from carrying out any political or administrative activities for the next 30 days.s.

The same measure affects 10 other Renamo members, including officials and municipal councillors linked to the largest opposition party in Mozambique and close to Raul Novinte.

Novinte and other members of Renamo are accused of crimes of disturbing public order and tranquillity and of continuing criminal activity, which has led to the suspension of their duties, profession and rights, including the obligation to remain in their homes.

According to the Judicial Court of Nacala-Porto, the measure aims to restrict the defendants' freedom as a way of avoiding repetition of the criminal activity and the production of certain procedural effects.

According to AIM, the measure is contained in a five-page document that the defendants received and signed on Tuesday, "Case number 1154/03171p/2023. Nacala port district court".

Meanwhile, the mayor of Nacala-Porto has already announced that he will appeal against the decision through his lawyers.

The coercive measure comes at a time when the municipality of Nacala, which from a legal point of view is still under Renamo, has not paid salaries for three months and the party believes that the court's decision could further delay the process. The same applies to other expenditure on goods and services, since the mayor has been suspended for 30 days.