25 February 2008
Maputo — An angry mob lynched five alleged criminals on Saturday in the central Mozambican city of Chimoio.
Serious rioting followed, as the crowd demanded that the police hand over a further 12 supposed criminals who had been arrested on Friday night. People in the crowd, cited in Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", claimed that these were the same criminals who had been terrorizing various Chimoio neighbourhoods.
Two of those killed were burned alive by the mob, while three women were beaten and hacked to death. 11 houses, supposedly belonging to the criminals, were destroyed, and vehicles, shops and other establishments suffered damage during the rioting.
The police refused to hand over any of the prisoners, and in the subsequent clashes at least 22 people were injured. The police arrested 33 people, on charges of incitement to violence and disorder, and they should appear in court on Monday.
On Saturday, the Manica provincial government met in emergency session to analyse the security situation in Chimoio. Provincial governor Mauricio Vieira urged the provincial government and the Chimoio Municipal Council to work together with local community leaders on the design of strategies to fight crime in the city.
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