An explosion at an artisanal mine in the João neighbourhood of Cuamba killed six people at the same time as Frelimo presidential candidate Filipe Nyusi was holding a rally in the same city. The miners are digging for garnets, the deep red gemstones with a crystalline structure, and other similar crystal gemstones. The six people killed are believed to be garnet dealers. Cuamba is not far from Malema district where there was an armed attack on a bus last week, which some have attributed to a fight between gemstone dealers.
Insurgents block campaign in Cabo Delgado
Campaigning is low key and restricted to district towns in those Cabo Delgado districts subject to dissident attacks: Quissanga, Macomia, Meluco, Nangade, Mocimboa da Praia, and Palma.
Since the campaign began 19 days ago, at least five attacks have been confirmed, which is
demoralising people. The first on 31 August was at the launch of the campaign in Quiterajo, Macomia. Other attacks were reported on 2, 3, 10, and 14 September in other districts. In all, 11 people died and hundreds of houses were burned down.
Apart from Macomia, other attacks occurred in the village of Chitunda, Muidumbe district and the administrative post of Mbau, and in the village of Marare, both in Mocímboa da Praia.
The most recent was on Monday, September 16, in the village Marere, Mocímboa da Praia.
Three insurgents, one armed with an AKM and the other two armed with machetes, were seen circulating and people told the military. Soldiers went to the village and fired mortars and bazookas in the direction of the departing guerrillas. This caused fear and the population fled the village.
Assaults, bullies & burned houses in the centre
Violence, intimidation and physical aggression among supporters of the three main parties, Frelimo, Renamo and MDM, including houses burned down by political rivals, has been reported in the centre of the country.
In Zambézia, Gurué Mayor José Aniceto accused the opposition of setting fire to 7 houses in Production Unit No. 6 neighbourhood on Saturday night September 14.
In N`tayansupa, Maravia district, Tete, the house of a 30-year-old teacher was burned Sunday night (September 15). Frelimo accuses Renamo of being behind the arson.
In Changara district, Tete, the home of MDM delegate Anselmo Labsone was torched in the first week of the election campaign. This came after the delegate had received threats from neighbourhood secretary, Roberto Mugabe.
In Manica town MDM and Frelimo supporters engaged in a brawl Monday when an MDM
caravan passed in front of Frelimo headquarters, and was attacked by supporters. Police
intervention prevented further damage.
And in Mavonde, Manica district, a Renamo parade was ambushed by Frelimo supporters and one Renamo supporter was beaten.
