Tension in Zóbuè: PRM officer lynched after death of detainee in custody

A police officer from the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) was lynched to death by locals in the town of Zóbuè, Moatize district, Tete province. This act of violence is a direct retaliation for the death of a young man who was being held in the cells of the local police station.

According to residents' accounts, the incident erupted after the discovery of the young man's body in custody. Faced with this situation, the outraged community accused the officers of being involved in the death. Consequently, they directed their fury against one of the policemen, violently assaulting him. Despite efforts to save him – he was rushed to the hospital – the officer ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

In response to the crisis, the Provincial Command of the PRM (Police of the Republic of Mozambique) in Tete issued a public statement clarifying its position. Based on preliminary investigations, the corporation maintains that the young man committed suicide after his arrest, therefore rejecting any involvement of the officers in his death. Simultaneously, the authorities promised a thorough investigation to ascertain all the facts and hold those responsible for the officer's murder accountable.

 In the aftermath of the events, the case generated profound consternation, both within the police force and among residents. This tragic episode reopened, once again, the debate about detention conditions in police stations, the use of force by authorities, and the growing tension between the police and the population in various regions of the country.