The Commander General of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) said today in Maputo that the police have never devised plans to take the life of any political party candidate running in the elections.

Bernardino Rafael's pronouncements come four days after the independent candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, Venâncio Mondlane, denounced an assassination attempt. The person accused of the murder is a PRM agent in Quissico, in Inhambane province, where Mondlane was holding a rally.

"At no time have the police thought, nor do they have any plans, nor can they imagine thinking of attempting the life of any candidate, list leader or member of a party competing in the elections," said Rafael, calling for a halt to the "drama".

On the other hand, even after complaining about the lack of funds to ensure the protection of citizens during the elections, today he said that, regardless of whether there are funds or not, the PRM will protect the elections.

"With sufficient or little logistics, we're going to guarantee the elections. This is our country. This is the real country. Those are the difficulties. But we are going to guarantee the protection of the elections throughout the country. We are prepared to guarantee, protect and accompany the electoral caravans," he said.

Bernardino Rafael was speaking at the launch of the operational plan for the election period.