via RENAMO gunmen arrested in Gaza – The Zimbabwean 6 April 2015
The Mozambican defence and security forces have captured three of the gunmen of the rebel movement Renamo who on Thursday attacked a position of the armed forces (FADM) at Mhabondze in Guija district, in the southern province of Gaza.
According to a report on Radio Mozambique the three were arrested that same afternoon in Macaretane and Chihaquelane, localities in the neighbouring district of Chokwe. They were named as Ramos Covane, Francisco Machava and Youssof Kolikoli. The latter is a foreign citizen, but the radio report did not give his nationality.
The three told the radio that the group is commanded by a man named Joao Chibadula, and that they had received orders from Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama to set up a base in Maputo province. This is in line with the recent threats by Dhlakama that Renamo will attack government positions in Maputo.
The group was infiltrating southwards from Renamo bases in Mabote and Funhalouro districts, in Inhambane province. On Thursday morning they attacked the FADM position at Mhabondze, which is 80 kilometres from the Guija district capital. There were no casualties in this clash.
The spokesperson for the Gaza Provincial Police Command, Jeremias Langa, said the Renamo group had attempted to cross Guija in its move southwards, without being detected, but had failed
Reacting to the Renamo attack, the Gaza provincial governor, Stella Pnto Zeca, stressed that the FADM will continue to guarantee Mozambican sovereignty throughout the national territory, and will protect citizens and their property.
She promised that the government would do all in its power “to guarantee security to the population so that they can continue to participate in the struggle against poverty”.
Pinto called for calm and permanent vigilance, so that any unusual movements that might threaten public order and security can be denounced.
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