Venâncio Mondlane, the second-place presidential candidate in Mozambique, alleges bias from the attorney general’s office, which he claims acts swiftly against him while ignoring his complaints. He has been summoned to give evidence regarding multiple lawsuits and expresses concerns about the motives behind these cases, which he believes aim to intimidate him amid a contentious post-election climate.
Venâncio Mondlane, who secured the second position in the presidential elections of Mozambique last October, recently criticized the attorney general’s office for alleged bias. He believes the office swiftly acted against him while ignoring his complaints, which include grave accusations made against various officials.
Upon returning from Botswana, Mondlane expressed his lack of high expectations regarding his summons to the attorney general’s office, noting he is currently aware of eight lawsuits against him. He stated, “I do not know which one I shall answer tomorrow. But I am ready.” Mondlane asserts these cases are intended to intimidate him.
He highlighted the lack of response to his own complaints, including one about an assassination attempt during the election campaign. Additionally, he reported filing numerous cases regarding extreme violence against his supporters, including 40 fatalities. These issues, he claims, demonstrate a biased handling of cases by the attorney general’s office.
Mondlane admitted that he feels no concern regarding the upcoming hearings, expressing an attitude of indifference towards the number of cases: “There are so many cases.”
One of the cases scheduled for a hearing addresses the demonstrations Mondlane has orchestrated following the elections. Previously, he claimed that he had conducted business meetings, asserting, “There was no reason to flee” the country, reinforcing his readiness to engage with the public.
The Public Prosecution Service has also sought substantial compensation from Mondlane, demanding €1.5 million for damages linked to recent protests. This follows another civil lawsuit targeting him and his party, Podemos, for financial restitution regarding protest-related damages in the capital.
On January 27, the attorney general’s office initiated proceedings against Mondlane for a document he circulated, labeled a “presidential decree.” This document allegedly undermined the principles of the democratic state, citing a need for actions against police units accused of severe human rights violations. The prosecutor’s office remarked that he violated constitutional protocols by issuing such a decree.
As the official second-place candidate in the elections, Mondlane represents the most significant challenge to Mozambique’s electoral legitimacy seen since the 1994 multiparty elections. Official results favored Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party, who has since been inaugurated as the fifth president of Mozambique. Reports from a local NGO indicate that clashes between police and protesters since the elections have led to at least 353 fatalities, while the government has acknowledged 80 deaths.
In summary, Venâncio Mondlane’s assertions of bias against the attorney general’s office underscore the ongoing tension following Mozambique’s presidential elections. He claims that the judicial action taken against him is part of a broader strategy to intimidate political dissent. The lack of responses to his own serious allegations contributes to his perspective on the partiality of the authorities, highlighting the complexities of Mozambique’s political landscape post-election.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
