MAPUTO – More protests against the kidnappings in the neighbouring country were reported in various towns on Monday.
Last week in Maputo and Beira, thousands of people took to the streets in protest against the wave of abductions that has been terrorising residents. They demanded a return to peace.
Beira was the scene of the most grotesque kidnapping death to date, in which a 13-year-old boy was snatched and tortured to death a week after family members said they could not afford the ransom. The abductors had also found out that his family had been in contact with the police. The boy’s mother, Mr Sehrish Ismail, was one of the speakers at the demonstration.
According to the report in the Beira daily paper Diario de Mocambique, she told the crowd, “My innocent son was the victim of injustice at the hands of people who are greedy for money. I believe that those who killed him will not enjoy prosperity in their lives. I shall continue to call on the name of God so this appalling crimes such as that which took the life of my son, never happen to anyone else in this country.”
She called on the authorities, and particularly the police, “to guarantee security and hope for our lives and property”. Unlike the demonstration in Maputo, the event in Beira enjoyed the support of the municipal authorities. The city’s mayor, Mr Daviz Simango, broke off a meeting of the Beira Municipal Assembly to address the demonstration.
“Our children must not be afraid to go to school,” he declared. “Women and men should go to their jobs freely. So when people die unjustly, we have to express our repugnance.”
The family of a businessman (who now lives in Nelspruit) was released by his kidnappers after three weeks as the family had managed to raise the US$1,5 million for his release. A source told Lowvelder the man had been kept in a coffin the entire period of his abduction.
On Thursday another four kidnappers were sentenced to prison terms in Maputo ranging from seven to 15 years. The gang was found guilty of kidnapping Mr Ibrahim Gani, owner of the food-processing factory Incopal, on May 19. He was held in captivity for a week, and was ransomed for an undisclosed sum.
Employees of the coal company, Rio Tinto, were instructed by their company last Wednesday to remove their wives and children from the country.
The company’s spokesman based in Australia, Mr Bruce Tobin said, “Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique can confirm that it is making arrangements for the dependent family members of its foreign employees to return to their home countries temporarily. The safety of employees and their families is top priority and the business will continue to monitor the situation and respond appropriately.”
He said Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique’s operations continued as planned, including the shipment of coal. Tobin confirmed that this action was as a result of the abductions as well as the current political conflict between the government and Renamo.
This as more Mozambicans have been reported purchasing property in Nelspruit. It has been reported that wealthy families are leaving the country in droves.
