Across the country people are being transported from distant points and in unsafe conditions, such as standing in the back of a lorries intended only for cargo, to fill the rallies led by Frelimo presidential candidate Filipe Nyusi. This was at the root of the fatal accident that killed at least 7 people in Songo on 22 September, when a truck returning form a Nyusi rally overturned throwing down a hill the 60 people standing in the back.
In a very convoluted way, at a rally in Chimoio Thursday (26 September), Filipe Nyusi banned the practice. He asked those present if anyone had been transported from a distant place to attend the rally. “Are these people just from Chimoio or are they brought from Sussundenga?” Nyusi asked the population during the rally. “Is there anyone who will say that in Chimoio Frelimo has no supporters?” continued the Frelimo candidate in a tone of denial.
Although a round-about way to do it, the message was clear. And any blame for filling the stadium with outsiders rested with junior officials.
Following his rally in Chimoio, Nyusi went on to campaign in Bárue and Manica districts, where the message had not yet been heard. In Manica, many civil servants and other people from different locations in the Manica district were transported by truck to Manica town to welcome the Frelimo candidate, report our correspondents. And civil servants from various sectors left Tambara district Wednesday (September 25) for Barué district and travelled 250 km to attend Filipe Nyusi’s rally the next day.
