CHARLES MANGWIRO, Maputo | Friday
AN international team of doctors have begun arriving in Mozambique to investigate the mysterious death of an estimated 70 prisoners in the northern province of Cabo Delgado earlier this week.
Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi told a press conference in Maputo that police reports indicated as many as 70 prisoners appeared to have suffocated in an overcrowded police cell.
“I received shocking information from Montepuez [about] the death of citizens, apparently without violence. There are dozens of them and I don’t have the exact figures but it’s between 50 and 70,” said Mocumbi.
Mocumbi confirmed that there appeared to be 21 survivors but stressed that impartial medical and police investigators would have to determine the exact causes of the tragedy.
Mozambican State television, TVM, meanwhile reported that a small team of South African doctors had already arrived in the town of Montepuez.
TVM quoted eyewitnesses and police confirming that thick smoke was seen in the police holding cells just prior to the incident. Police also confirmed that the cells were heavily overcrowded with opposition party supporters detained during nationwide rioting two weeks ago.
Some of the 21 survivors interviewed by TVM insisted that there was no violence in the cells, but said some inmates claimed to have obtained magical bullet-proof charms and were preparing to escape.
Montepuez was the scene of the most violent clashes between Renamo supporters and police earlier this month during anti-government protests designed to force a vote recount of the December 1999 elections. Renamo narrowly lost the elections to President Joaquim Chissano’s ruling Frelimo party.
Seven policemen and 10 opposition supporters died in Montepuez during the riots. Over 200 people were reported injured nationally and 41 people died. – African Eye News Service