Venâncio Mondlane prevented from changing residence without notifying the Attorney General's Office

The Attorney General's Office (PGR) has imposed the Identity and Residence Term on Venâncio Mondlane, as part of the proceedings against him, related to the demonstrations that took place in the country and resulted in vandalism and looting of public and private property. With this coercive measure, Mondlane is prohibited from changing his residence or being absent for more than five days without notifying the authorities, under penalty of incurring new sanctions.

The politician reacted to the decision and suggested that the measure is more restrictive than justifiable. “Honestly, I’m going to flirt with the prosecutor’s office a little more. The only issue is that all movements, beyond five days, have to be reported,” he declared. For Mondlane, the application of the Identity and Residence Term is an indication of the way in which the Mozambican justice system is dealing with his case in particular, in comparison with other processes that, according to him, have not received the same speed.

The Identity and Residence Term is one of the coercive measures provided for in the Mozambican Criminal Procedure Code. According to article 237, a defendant has the duty to identify himself to the authorities, indicate his residence and report any change or prolonged absence. The measure is considered one of the least serious within the judicial system and is usually applied when there is no need for pre-trial detention.

Venâncio Mondlane was summoned in the context of case 773/11/P/2024, in which he is accused of inciting collective disobedience, in the context of the demonstrations that occurred after the elections and culminated in the destruction of public and private infrastructure. However, the politician criticizes the speed with which his case is being handled and questions the impartiality of the Attorney General's Office. "There are cases that have practically no progress, but Venâncio's case has press releases and incredible speed", he said. He also revealed that he directly questioned the Attorney General's Office about this difference in treatment and was assured that he would be informed about the progress of the cases he submitted.

In addition to contesting the actions of the justice system, Mondlane holds the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) responsible for the looting and acts of vandalism. According to him, it was the officers themselves who initiated the destruction and then encouraged the population to participate. “Everyone knows that the looting and vandalism were motivated by a previous event. The police themselves vandalized warehouses, shops and businesses and then called on the hungry population to loot,” he accused. To reinforce his allegations, Mondlane claims to have evidence that shows PRM officers looting goods and taking advantage of the chaos. “We have images of police carrying coolers, taking rice, breaking down tents and taking goods. We have all of that,” he declared.

Mondlane's hearing, which was initially scheduled for this Monday, was postponed to Tuesday at 9 am, at his own request, through a letter submitted to the PGR by his representative. The postponement occurs at the same time as it is known that the politician has been out of the country in recent days, when he traveled to Gaborone, Botswana, on Thursday last week, but used social media to guarantee that he will be present at the hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

This case against Venâncio Mondlane comes amid a context of political tension in the country, with the opposition contesting the results of the last elections and denouncing political persecution. Mondlane has been one of the most vocal critics of the current government and claims that he is being targeted for retaliation for his political stance and the legal proceedings he has brought before the courts. The outcome of this case could have an impact on the national political scene, with the opposition closely following developments and questioning the impartiality of Mozambican judicial institutions.