The Chibabava district administrator, Arnaldo Machowe, cited by the Portuguese news agency Lusa, admitted the deaths. He said they were the result of a Renamo ambush at about 03.00 on Thursday morning.
“Since it was a surprise attack, three of our men died on the spot, and a fourth died on the way to hospital”, he said. “Eight other members of the police were injured”.
Journalists of the anti-government paper and website Canalmoz were present in Muxungue, and claim to have seen the eight injured policemen receiving treatment in the local hospital. When interviewed, the police confirmed that they had been attacked by Renamo.
The train of events began the previous day, when the police moved against an alleged military base Renamo was setting up in Muxungue, and made 15 arrests. There was no apparent resistance at the time – indeed, the first report of the Muxungue camp said the Renamo men there were unarmed.
The clashes in Muxungue have terrified local residents, who are abandoning their homes. Canalmoz reports that the schools are closed, and all trading and other economic activities have shut down. Truck drivers are no longer stopping at the small town.
Details about the clashes are still sparse, and it is not yet clear if any Renamo members died during the shoot-out.
Post published in: Africa News