Random victims of Mozambican 'justice'

The 'hidden debts' defendants are facing justice; fellow inmates have no such luck

Good afternoon. All eyes are on the BO maximum security prison at the moment, where the verdict in the ‘hidden debts’ trial is being read. But there are stories to be told elsewhere in the prison, too.

One notable inmate is Agnaldo Navalha, the opposition MDM politician jailed for 12 years in 2018 on what are widely seen as trumped up, politicised charges.

More recently, Eric Dry and Wikkie du Plessis, two American missionaries, and Ryan Kohler, an American pilot, have been transferred to the BO after being arrested almost a month ago in Inhambane. They were initially held for lacking documentation for a consignment of food and medical aid they were sending to an orphanage in Cabo Delgado, but wound up being charged with terrorism offences, though no one can tell why.

Zitamar's reporter, at the BO this week to watch the hidden debts verdict, tried to visit those three today, but was told no one but their lawyer can visit during the first 45 days of detention.

There are serious fears for their well-being — as indeed there are for anyone rotting in the Mozambican prison system. That includes thousands of people whose sentences have been served, or who are endlessly waiting for trial, or who cannot be sent to their country of origin for bureaucratic reasons.

Those facing trial for their involvement in Mozambique’s biggest ever corruption scandal will, on the whole, get justice. Some of them will continue to be housed in much improved prison accommodation at Lingano. Meanwhile, the BO will continue to host many victims of the randomness and politicisation of Mozambique’s so-called justice system.

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Agenda:

• Today: President Filipe Nyusi visits the Chibuto heavy sands project in Gaza province

• Today-Tomorrow: President Nyusi travels to Malawi to meet Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera

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From the Zitamar Live Blog:

EU confirms €20 million to support the continued deployment of Rwanda Defence Force in Cabo Delgado

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Also in the news:

• Mocímboa da Praia has received 72,000 returnees

• UN's Manzoni calls for focus as Renamo demobilisation phase comes to an end

• Tmcel and LAM will not be privatised, minister says

• Bus passenger subsidy could end this month

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News