The clash spread panic among local people, many of whom fled into the bush, looking for safety. Nurses, teachers and other state employees have fled to the town of Chemba which is bout 50 kilometres from Chiramba.
The Sofala provincial police commander, Alfredo Mussa, was unable to give any further details. “I confirm that Renamo gunmen attacked our police post in Chiramba in the morning, and there are disturbancesâ€, he said. “But we have problems communicating with our men on the ground, and so I have no further information. Perhaps tomorrow (Tuesday)â€.
The Chemba district administrator, Joao Patricio, told “Noticias†that Renamo groups have been moving around the Chiramba area since last week