“The murder of Anastácio Matavele is a direct attack not only on this citizen and his family, but also on all civil society organizations and individuals working on independent electoral observation. CIP condemns this macabre act and demands a public statement by Frelimo candidate and President Filipe Nyusi, repudiating the electoral violence that has been taking place throughout the country since the beginning of the election campaign,” declared the Public Integrity Centre (CIP), publishers of this bulletin, this afternoon.
Since the beginning of the election campaign, violence has been reported, many of Frelimo supporters attacking the opposition. CIP considers that the leadership of Frelimo, and also of the Government, has through its silence become an accomplice in legitimizing the violence.
“Frelimo leaders, who are the government, have been complicit in the face of violence in the election campaign and this can be seen as approving these practices. It’s time for Frelimo to vehemently condemn the violence,” adds CIP.
“The vehicle used for the attack was seized and some of the murderers arrested, so it is now much easier to identify the perpetrators of this macabre crime – including those who are morally responsible. Therefore, speedy justice is required,” says CIP.
