Mozambique: Police jailed for killing election observer

A total of six police officers in Mozambique have been sent to jail after being found guilty for killing an election observer and rights activist, Anastacio Matavel ahead of last October’s elections in the country.

Matavel was allegedly shot over 10 times by the group of men armed with assault rifles in the southern province of Gaza (Xai-Xai) during weeks of low-level violence in the country. This occurred as supporters of the long ruling Frelimo party clashed with those of the opposition Renamo before the vote won by the incumbent, Filipe Nyusi.

According to foreign media reports, the elite police were said to be caught after their car collided with another vehicle as they sought flee from the scene.

The country is equally one of the many African countries plagued with ruthless murders of activists, journalists and opposition party members, with arbitrary arrests also making it very common in the country.

The six police men who answered guilty were sentenced to between three and twenty-four years in prison, while a seventh accused who happens to be a civilian, was acquitted.

The killing of the election observer has brought forth wide criticisms from the country’s opposition and the religious bodies. The act has been described by the clergy men in Mozambique as a spirit of tyranny and called for a general end to violence from all opposing factions in the country.

Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975, preceded by a fierce civil war that lasted close to 16 years in the country.

The war ended in 1992, but the repercussions of the war are still greatly felt in the country at present.