A group of armed men murdered the delegate of the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) in the district of Búzi, Sofala province, at dawn on Thursday (16). The death of Sandes António, 30, was confirmed by a source in the PODEMOS party.

"He sent me a message at around 1am to say that the house was surrounded. After that, I couldn't speak to him anymore. When morning came, the survivor who was with him, also shot in the arm, called me to inform me that Sandes had been shot dead," said Vale Magalhães, a party member.

In a newspaper publication Dossiers & FactsMagalhães added that the deputy was found dead at home with three shots to the head, chest and back.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Mozambique Police (PRM) in Sofala, through its spokesman, Dércio Chacate, declared that investigations are underway. "We are on the ground investigating the facts and we will make a statement at any moment," said Chacate.

(Photo DR)