The Maputo City Court dismissed the injunction filed by Venâncio Mondlane to annul all administrative acts carried out by Ossufo Momade after January 17 of this year, the date on which his term as Renamo leader ended.

According to the judge of the Maputo City Judicial Court, Eusébio Lucas, Venâncio Mondlane was unable to prove that the Renamo leader dismissed the political delegates after January 17, and he also found the witnesses presented in the litigation strange.

"As for testimonial evidence, it consists of a statement made in court by a third party who is not involved in the litigation and who testifies about the facts of which he is aware and which are relevant to the proper decision of the case," says the order in the case.

The document also adds that the people listed by Venâncio Mondlane as witnesses could not testify because they were part of the proceedings. Therefore, "considering the restrictions imposed in articles 617 to 618 of the C.P.C., it is clear that this means of proof is distinct from party statements, as a probative element. It is clear that the point of distinction has to do with the quality of the subjects and interveners in the proceedings, since those who can testify as parties in the case are prevented from testifying as witnesses."