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The police face justice, up to a point

Finally police officers are to be investigated over the killings of civilians during the post-election protests. Prosecutors could go further, however

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

Good afternoon. The winds of change continue to blow through the Mozambican police force. Yesterday, it emerged that former police chief Bernardino Rafael, who was dismissed in January after overseeing a brutal crackdown on protesters following last year’s disputed elections, had been summoned to appear before prosecutors next week. A criminal complaint against Rafael says that police under his command committed human rights violations. Such complaints are not new, but the fact that they are being taken seriously is. Today it is reported that more police officers are to be investigated for excessive use of force when policing the demonstrations (see below).

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Over 300 civilians were killed during the five months of protests, generally shot by police, who often fired on crowds indiscriminately. The police force has a reputation for politically partisan behaviour, having regularly repressed opposition marches in the past. Unlike the army, the guerrillas of then-paramilitary group Renamo were not integrated into the police force after the 1992 peace deal between Renamo and the government to end the civil war. Thus the force has remained a loyal attack dog of the ruling Frelimo party. And indeed, on the occasions during the protests when the army was brought onto the streets, it refrained from joining in the police shootings.

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