An unconfirmed number of prisoners in Maputo, Mozambique, have escape from the the Maximum Security Prison in Machava Suburb, amid protests by those rejecting results of the recent general elections!
According to reports, the prisoners managed to overpower the guards at the facility and escaped with a number of AK47 rifles.
According to Mozambican journalist Bright Sonjela, protesters seem to have taken advantage of the volatile situation in the country and apparently helped some prisoner escape from custody.
“People have taken advantage of the protests. Since they started protesting about the results of the general elections, these protesters have been going to prisons and releasing others. So this just happened when the government said they were going to release some of the prisoners,” says Sonjela.
Initial reports had estimated the number of escaped prison at around 6,000, however, social activist and journalist Clemente Carlos has put the number of those who have escape at approximately 150.
He says the figures remain unconfirmed.
“There is one young man who has just escaped and there is a video of him doing rounds here in Maputo, still having cuffs in his hands and he was recording a video telling the people that they are also part of the revolution saying his friends escaped from the central prison and set him free and some other young men. This is basically how things are getting out of hand. I do believe they have made use of the Christmas celebrations,” says Carlos.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has used his social media platforms to call for calm, following a fresh upsurge in riots linked to the election results.
The country’s top court upheld the results of the disputed October presidential elections on Monday. Many in Mozambique, particularly young people, were hoping that independent candidate Venancio Mondlane will win the elections.
Protesters are still out in the streets of Mozambique’s major cities.
Mozambican President elect Daniel Chapo says he is ready to lead the electoral reform process in Maputo. Thembisa Fakude Director at Africa-Asia Dialogues says should things escalate in the neighbouring country, South Africa should expect an upsurge in Mozambicans crossing the border into the country.
