via RENAMO attacks military position in Gaza – The Zimbabwean 3 April 2015
A large force of gunmen of the former rebel movement Renamo on Thursday afternoon attacked a position of the Mozambican armed forces (FADM) at Mhabondze, in Guija district, in the southern province of Gaza.
According to Gaza police spokesperson Jeremias Langa, cited in Friday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”, Renamo gunmen have been moving from the centre of the country southwards since mid-March “for purposes that are not yet clear”.
Langa put the size of the group that attacked Mhabondze at 100 – which is very large in comparison with the small scale clashes between government forces and Renamo during the mini-insurrection staged by Renamo, mostly in Sofala province, in 2013-14. Langa added that there were no casualties in the clash.
Renamo men are also on the move in Funhalouro district, in the neighbouring province of Inhambane, but so far without provoking clashes.
When reporters from the independent weekly “Savana” visited Funhalouro, they contacted the Renamo gunmen who simply said “We are waiting for new orders”.
An official in the local attorney’s office described relations between the Renamo group and members of the defence and security forces as “good but not secure”.
A local teacher named only as Matuassa said members of the government and Renamo forces “drink together in the Tsenane market”. In some cases, the Renamo men “speak languages we don’t understand”.
“Savana” confirmed that these kanguages are Ndau and Sena, the main languages spoken in Sofala and a clear indication that many of the Renamo men are not local to Funhalouro.
As might be expected of men who should have been demobilized in 1994, but who were held back by Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama, some of them are relatively old, in their late 40s, early 50s or even in their 60s.
Alberto Mucaliwa told “Savana” he is 53 years old and joined Renamo in 1982. Asked why he was in Funhalouro, he replied “I don’t think it’s very important to answer that question, but when the time comes we will leave. We are not causing harm to anybody. We are not thieves. We can live anywhere in the country”.
At a Renamo camp in Chissanyani, “Savana” met 49 year old Tchamo Miguel, who are also said “we are waiting for new orders”
He added “our future is being discussed in Maputo”, a clear reference to the apparently interminable dialogue between the government and Renamo. One of the points under discussion is the integration of members of the Renamo militia into the army and the police. The debate has stalled because Renamo refuses to hand over a list of those whom it wants to see recruited into the defence and security forces.
“Savana” did find one Renamo officer who was born in Inhambane (in Massinga district). He is the camp treasurer, 61 year old Madala Nharry. He admitted that living conditions in the camp were very difficult “but we must follow orders from above”.
The Funhalouro district administrator, Afonso Machungo, confirmed that the Renamo men have not caused any clashes = but their very presence brings back memories of the war of destabilization. “People don’t forget the past – hence the fear”, said Machungo.
He also told “Savana” that in late March a contingent of Renamo gunmen had headed into Gaza, setting up a camp in the Comane area of Chigubo district.
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