In a shocking act of violence that has sent shockwaves through Mozambique, gunmen ambushed and murdered Elvino Dias, a lawyer linked to the leading opposition political figure, Venancio Mondlane, as well as a senior official from the PODEMOS party. The attack took place late Friday night in Maputo, and was described as politically motivated, occurring amid rising tensions following a disputed presidential election marred by allegations of fraud. Reports indicate that the vehicle of the victims was riddled with bullets on Joaquim Chissano Avenue, just before midnight. A woman in the car was also injured in this brutal confrontation, while police revealed the victims were followed from a local bar before the deadly attack.
These murders occurred just ahead of the results announcement for Mozambique’s presidential election, where Mondlane, running as an independent but supported by PODEMOS, is facing a significant challenge from the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power for nearly five decades. The opposition party has called for protests and a nationwide strike following the killings, which they deem evidence of systemic injustice and a disturbing escalation of political violence as Mozambique grapples with mounting dissent and fears over election integrity. Dias, a pivotal figure in the legal fight against the election results, had expressed concerns for his safety prior to his assassination, underlining the perilous climate for opposition figures in the country. More details are emerging, with calls for justice looming large as the situation unfolds. For further information, see the report on www.stripes.com.
