The General Command of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) announced that the first of eight days of the new wave of post-election demonstrations resulted in five deaths and three serious injuries in the city of Maputo, as well as in the provinces of Maputo, Zambézia and Nampula..

The cities of Maputo and Matola were characterized by roadblocks, preventing the circulation of vehicles.

According to the spokesman for the PRM General Command, Orlando Mudumane, quoted by AIMThe victims were armed with bladed weapons, including knives, machetes, stones and other blunt objects.

"Today, once again, the country was the scene of violent demonstrations that disturbed public order and security, the free movement of people and goods following the call for a new wave of demonstrations by Venâncio Mondlane," said Mudumane.

He said that the content of the messages spread on social networks, and their modus operandi, are aimed at causing chaos, terror, rebellion, violence and widespread public disorder in the country.

Mudumane explained that, according to the law, no one should be coerced into taking part or not taking part in any meetings or demonstrations.

Regarding the five deaths, Mudumane said: "When an individual goes to a police station, breaks in and tries at all costs to get hold of a firearm, he's not a protester, we don't know what he intends to do with the firearm after he gets hold of the PRM officer, he's a criminal, a subversive individual who did everything he could to get hold of the weaponry to carry out acts much more criminal than this, it's a serious confrontation," said Mudumane.

The PRM says that in the context of the alleged demonstrations, there was a total blockade of public roads using barricades made of various objects, including the vehicles themselves, with the aim of restricting the movement of motorists and road users, the payment of money and the vandalizing of public and private infrastructures.

(Photo DR)