The mass escape of inmates from Matola Central Prison, in Maputo province, led to divergent explanations on Wednesday night between the Minister of Justice, Helena Kida, and the Commander General of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), Bernardino Rafael.

Speaking to the private channel STV last night, Helena Kida said that the incident, which took place in the middle of Christmas, was due to an internal rebellion, while Rafael accuses the protesters of having caused the "escape" of inmates in one of the country's most secure jails, BO.

According to the Minister, the event began on the OR side, where an inmate jumped over the wall into the Central Prison. From there, unrest spread among the inmates in the courtyard, culminating in the rebellion.

"There is some information that indicates that there were demonstrators outside, but that wasn't the situation. The situation was inside the prison," he clarified. Kida also pointed out that the inmates numbered more than 2,500 and that a count was currently underway to determine the exact number of escapees.

On the same day, a few minutes later, Bernardino Rafael presented a completely different narrative at a press conference. He said that a group of "subversive demonstrators" had approached the prison, creating unrest and encouraging inmates to escape. According to Rafael, external pressure caused the wall separating the Central Prison from the OR to collapse, facilitating the escape of 1,534 inmates.

What's more, Rafael held the protesters directly responsible for the deaths and injuries recorded in the confrontation. "We deeply regret the 33 deaths and 15 injuries resulting from the actions of the protesters who encouraged the violent breakout," he said.

Immediately after the escape, a joint operation was launched between the police and the military in order to neutralize the inmates and return them to their cells.

More than 60 people were rounded up from this pursuit and search operation of nearby houses, including some individuals who were not prisoners, according to the publication of Dossier and Facts

The publication also states that inside the jail there were summary executions carried out by the military and the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) agents, killing 33 people in cold blood and seriously injuring another 37. Some of the inmates were shot inside their cells.