MOZAMBIQUE’S prominent opposition figure, Venancio Mondlane, alleged in a video on Monday that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while in South Africa, where he sought refuge following the controversial elections held last month. Mondlane contests the results of the October 9 vote, which the electoral authority attributes to the ruling Frelimo party, in power since 1975, asserting that he was the true victor.
Claims of election irregularities
Opposition parties and electoral observers have raised serious concerns over the integrity of the election. Following the announcement of the results, which reported Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo winning over 70 percent of the votes to Mondlane’s 20 percent, protests erupted across the country. Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 11 people have been killed by security forces in the ensuing unrest.
In a dramatic video shared on Facebook, Mondlane recounted the harrowing experience: ‘When I was in South Africa, assassins were at my door to kill me. I had to jump out through the back door, slip out through a hair salon, and run with my bags and my family.’ Although he did not specify when the alleged attempt occurred, Mondlane mentioned that he had been residing in the affluent Sandton area of Johannesburg.
South Africa’s reaction
The South African foreign ministry stated that it had no record of Mondlane’s presence in the country and indicated that such serious allegations should have been reported to local authorities.
Calls for protests
Mondlane has taken to social media to galvanise public support against the election results, announcing a march in Maputo scheduled for this Thursday, which he has dubbed ‘the day of Mozambique’s freedom.’ His calls for protest come in the wake of the assassination of his lawyer and an associate on October 19, as they prepared to challenge the election results in court. Mondlane has suggested their murders were politically motivated and fears he could be next.
Protests and internet restrictions
Following the electoral authority’s announcement, violent clashes erupted, leading to the deaths of at least 11 individuals and numerous injuries, as reported by Human Rights Watch. Police responded with tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Maputo on Monday.
Additionally, social media access has been restricted multiple times since the elections, with a temporary internet blackout imposed the day after the results were announced. Observers, including representatives from the European Union, have highlighted significant flaws in the electoral process, alleging manipulation by the electoral body to maintain Frelimo’s grip on power.
As tensions escalate, the situation in Mozambique remains precarious, with fears of further violence and repression looming over the political landscape.
