The independent presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, has accused the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces of being responsible for the murder of Elvino Dias, a legal adviser to the presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, and the national representative of the Povo Optimista para o Desenvolvimento de Moçambique (PODEMOS) party, Paulo Guambe..

In a publication by Voice of America (VOA)Venâncio Mondlane said he had proof. "This blood must be avenged," said Mondlane in a public statement made at the scene of the crime, where he left flowers. "More than killing a man, values are being killed," he stressed.

The presidential candidate also accused Graça Machel, Armando Guebuza and Joaquim Chissano, historical figures of the Frelimo party, of being "accomplices of a regime that has become a murderer of your own people". "The blood of these young people is on your hands. They will end their careers full of blood on your hands," he declared.

The candidate, who is contesting the provisional election results that gave victory to the ruling Frelimo party, said that the strike he had called for next Monday, the 21st, "is set and reaffirmed" and asked the people not to be afraid. "There's no work, there's no movement. Let's demonstrate freely. Let's not be afraid.

Venâncio Mondlane declares that this is the "moment to rescue values" and that the candidate's aim is to hold a "peaceful demonstration" "against barbaric crimes".

According to Mondlane during the public statement, the strike will begin at ten o'clock in the morning, at the place where the two Mozambicans were shot, in a march that will continue through the city of Maputo, Mozambique's capital.

The car in which Elvino Dias, legal advisor to presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, and the national representative of the Povo Optimista para o Desenvolvimento de Moçambique (PODEMOS) party Paulo Guambe were traveling was shot at in the early hours of Saturday morning. The police said they were investigating the case.

(Photo DR)