/ 1 May 2008

Mozambique cops deny ‘mandate to kill’ approach

Mozambican police on Wednesday denied recent accusations by Amnesty International of having a ”mandate to kill” in regard to policing the country.

Police spokesperson First Deputy Police Commissioner Carlos Rungo said that accusations of the police killing and torturing citizens with near total impunity were completely untrue.

Speaking after the closing ceremony of a course aimed at teaching law-enforcement agents the basics of human rights, Rungo, however, did say that police forces lacked basic equipment and training.

”What is happening is that the police are poorly equipped, both in material terms and information on human rights of the people. Our agents have poor knowledge of the rights of people, and they simple use materials available to them to deal with day-to-day issues,” he said.

The latest report from human rights group Amnesty International slammed policing in Mozambique, saying ”police in Mozambique seem to think they have a licence to kill and the weak police accountability system allows for this”.

”In almost all cases of human rights violations by police — including unlawful killings — no investigation into the case and no disciplinary action against those responsible has been undertaken, nor has any police officer been prosecuted,” the report continued.

Rungo rebuffed the report, saying that all violations were investigated and that irregularities among the police forces were prosecuted and the guilty sentenced. — Sapa-dpa