Mozambique opposition chief Venâncio Mondlane, the runner-up in final month’s disputed presidential election, says he has escaped an assassination try in South Africa, the place he sought refuge after difficult the outcomes.
In a video posted to Fb, Mondlane stated he was in “mortal hazard” after assassins had gone to his dwelling to attempt to kill him.
Mondlane stated he needed to bounce by the again door and run by a hair salon, whereas carrying his baggage, accompanied by his spouse and daughter.
He didn’t present any proof to again up his declare and the Mozambican authorities haven’t commented.
Mondlane went into hiding about two weeks in the past, after his aide and lawyer had been killed as they had been getting ready to problem the outcomes.
Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling occasion Frelimo, was formally declared the winner with over 71% of the vote, versus Mondlane’s 20%.
Mondlane did not specify precisely the place the alleged assassination try had taken place.
Within the video, he stated he had been staying within the prosperous Sandton neighbourhood in Johannesburg.
“I used to be with my spouse and my daughter, operating from one place to a different,” he stated.
South Africa’s overseas ministry informed the AFP information company they did not even know Mondlane was within the nation and that the matter ought to have been reported to the police.
The BBC reached out to South African police, however they did not reply.
Mondlane went into hiding earlier than the outcomes had been introduced, claiming his dwelling had been surrounded by members of the safety forces.
He has known as on Mozambicans to carry nationwide demonstrations towards the election outcomes, that are being challenged in courtroom by the Podemos occasion which backed Mondlane.
The protests have led to violent clashes with the police and a number of other individuals have been killed, with dozens injured.
The web and social media have additionally been restricted.
A common strike known as by Mondlane has continued, regardless of the prime minister’s name for individuals to return to work.
Three kids had been reportedly shot useless by police in several elements of the capital Maputo on Monday, whereas eight individuals had been reportedly killed within the northern province of Nampula over the weekend.
Two totally different Frelimo places of work had been reportedly attacked in Nampula, prompting the police to reply with tear fuel, rubber bullets, and reside ammunition, killing one particular person.
The demonstrators then set hearth to the home allegedly belonging to a police officer accused of killing a protester.
Mondlane has been rallying individuals to come back collectively for a “ultimate march” in Maputo, on Thursday.
It is because of be the top of a seven-day protest he known as final week.
