Maputo was calm this morning following three days of violent protests, looting and the burning of state-owned property. Further north, however, South African farmers have been chased from their land and properties looted.

Caxton Network News engaged with a seasoned journalist on the ground who said the situation changes from hour to hour and no one can predict what will happen next.

Network News confirmed that South African farmers in the Boane district were confronted by gangs that looted their homes, leaving them with little option but to flee from their land.

Unconfirmed reports published by Club of Mozambique, a Mozambican news network, alleged that at least 56 people have died and 152 have been shot in Mozambique since Monday.

Mass deaths in prison

Shocking video footage and images of the mass death of 33 inmates circulated on various social media groups after the escape of more than 1 500 maximum security prisoners from Maputo’s Central Maximum-Security Prison on Christmas Day.

The escape was confirmed by the police general commander of Mozambique, Bernardino Rafael, who stated at a press conference that only 150 prisoners had been recaptured.

Rafael said they expected a rise in crime in Maputo within 48 hours and further stated that 29 convicted terrorists were also in the group that escaped.

While the protest actions were unrelated to the prison incident, Rafael stated that the noise they caused significantly heightened tensions within the facility. This unrest led to the collapse of a prison wall, allowing inmates to escape despite a subsequent confrontation with the guards.

This encounter resulted in 33 deaths and left 15 injured. Similar escapes have occurred at the Manhiça and Mabalane prisons.

In reaction, Venâncio Mondlane, leader of the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), said he found the explanation suspicious and asked how someone could manage to escape from jail while filming the events.

Podemos calls for calm

Mondlane gave a stern warning to his followers in reaction to the past few days’ looting and violence and said he would abandon his plan if vandalism continues.

In a Facebook live broadcast, Mondlane said Podemos’ cause should not be tarnished or misrepresented.

He urged the true protestors to control and identify individuals who are vandalising and looting stores and warehouses as it was not going to restore the electoral truth. Mondlane stated it would be impossible to take charge on January 15 amid debris and chaos.

“I won’t take over when everything is destroyed.”

Mondlane condemned the attack on shops, kiosks and supermarkets and asked why police were not taking control.

Video: Alex Bottle Store/Nossa Moçambicanidade Facebook.

Cleaning operations begin; communities patrol streets

Footage is emerging from various parts of Mozambique showing clean-up efforts underway following the protest chaos.

Video: Nossa Moçambicanidade Facebook.

In Matola, community members wearing visible reflector bibs have started patrolling the streets at night.

On social media groups, home security tips are being shared to assist communities with safeguarding themselves. These include not investigating unusual noises outside their homes at night, being on the lookout for strangers, improving lighting and being observant when leaving and/or returning home.

Ponta do Ouro area mostly unaffected

South Africans entering and exiting the Kosi Bay border and holidaying in the Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Malongane areas have been mostly unaffected by the protest actions.

Watch: Police open fire on looters of the Game and building store in the Matola area near Maputo. Video: Desnecessário WhatsApp channel.

Watch the video posted on Nossa Moçambicanidade’s Facebook page:

Watch the video shared on the Desnecessário WhatsApp channel: