Detention of Venâncio Mondlane’s Finance Chief Raises Political Tensions in Mozambique
The Maputo City Judicial Court ordered the detention of Glória Monteiro Nobre Chire, finance chief for Venâncio Mondlane, amid ongoing tensions following the October elections. Mondlane claims she faces unjust treatment and has become a political prisoner. Legal actions against him include accusations of inciting violence, and demands for significant financial compensation for damage caused during protests.
The Maputo City Judicial Court has mandated the preventive detention of Glória Monteiro Nobre Chire, finance chief for Venâncio Mondlane. Mondlane announced on his Facebook page that his representative has become a political prisoner, following her arrest at her home on Wednesday morning. Details surrounding the reasons for her detention remain undisclosed.
Aline Nobre Chire, one of Glória’s daughters, described an unprecedented police presence during her mother’s arrest, indicating a lack of clarity regarding the circumstances. Mondlane later highlighted during a livestream that Chire faced psychological harassment and was barred from communicating with her family and legal counsel for 48 hours.
Chire, aged 59, is a retired accountant tasked with overseeing Mondlane’s finances. Mondlane, a former presidential candidate, is currently contesting the results of Mozambique’s 9 October elections. The country’s attorney general’s office has initiated legal proceedings against him, alleging incitement to violence amidst the protests following the elections.
Facing various accusations, Mondlane recently completed a nearly 10-hour interrogation by the public prosecutor’s office. Following this, they have mandated him to periodically check in regarding his identity and residence. The prosecutor has also filed lawsuits demanding significant compensation for damages linked to the protests.
The public prosecutor’s office has filed multiple civil suits against Mondlane and his party, Podemos, totalling approximately €1.5 million in demands for damages. These cases stem from civil unrest, in which over 353 individuals have reportedly lost their lives since October, with thousands more injured, according to independent monitoring groups.
The situation in Mozambique is evolving as political tensions rise following the recent elections. The detention of Glória Monteiro Nobre Chire showcases the challenges faced by those aligned with political opposition. Venâncio Mondlane, accused of inciting violence post-elections, continues to struggle against legal action amid widespread protests, resulting in considerable casualties and destruction. The implications of these events are significant for Mozambique’s political landscape.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
