Maputo — The Mozambican police have arrested six people in the northern city of Nampula, accusing them of mobilizing people for demonstrations against food price rises - but the detainees say they were simply planning a meeting to elect a local official of the main opposition party, Renamo.

According to Monday's issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax", one of those arrested is a 15 year old boy, and three are Renamo members - including the Renamo secretary and head of mobilization and propaganda in the Nampula neighbourhood of Natikiri, Antonio Namarocolo and Williamo Namele.

The detainees told "Mediafax" that they were holding a meeting to mobilise people, particularly Renamo members and supporters, to take part in the election of a new Renamo head of mobilization, to replace Namele.

"I have with me several invitations that I was giving to people for a party meeting and not for any demonstrations", said Namarocolo. "If it was a case of protests against the cost of living, it wouldn't be me organizing it".

Namarocolo said the police broke into his house to arrest him at 22.00 on Friday night. "They destroyed my door and my property and grabbed me as if I were a thief", he complained.

Asked to explain the arrests, the Nampula provincial police spokesperson, Inacio Dina, insisted that the group had been plotting "disturbances of public order and tranquility".