Police chief accused of Mozambique abuses sacked by new president
3 min readMozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, has dismissed the country’s police chief, Bernardino Rafael, amidst serious accusations of misconduct during the aftermath of October’s controversial elections. Rafael, who had been in charge of the police force for seven years, is accused of collaborating with criminal groups to kidnap and kill civilian protesters. He has strongly denied these claims, which have been raised by opposition figures and human rights groups in the wake of violent protests following the election.
Chapo, who assumed office last week, announced Rafael’s dismissal on Thursday, marking the first significant shake-up of the new administration’s security apparatus. This move comes as Chapo faces significant pressure to restore public trust in the government and address a worsening economic situation. Mozambique is currently grappling with one of its most severe political crises since gaining independence. The crisis has deepened following the October elections, which were marred by allegations of widespread fraud and election manipulation.
Despite the protests and calls for a transparent investigation into the election results, the ruling party, Frelimo, was once again declared the winner, extending its nearly 50-year grip on power. This decision has fueled widespread anger among citizens, with civil society groups reporting that at least 300 people have died in the ensuing violence. Most of the victims were protesters, many of whom were killed during clashes with security forces.
Rafael, however, disputes the reported death toll, stating that only 96 people died, including 17 police officers. He claims that those killed were either part of violent mobs that attacked police or were victims of stray bullets during confrontations. However, the Mozambique Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CDD) has documented a troubling pattern of police brutality. According to the CDD, agents from the elite National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) were involved in covert operations where they infiltrated protest crowds dressed as civilians to identify and record the addresses of demonstrators. These agents allegedly conducted violent house raids that led to arbitrary arrests and killings, with some neighborhoods effectively becoming “war zones.”
In addition to these allegations, the police force has been accused of being involved in the targeted killings of two political aides, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe. Both worked for Venâncio Mondlane, an opposition leader who claims to be the true victor of the October election. Mondlane, who has been a prominent figure in the post-election protests, has faced multiple assassination attempts and has lived in self-imposed exile for his own safety. The killing of his aides has further escalated tensions in the already volatile political landscape.
The controversy surrounding the police’s actions, combined with ongoing unrest, prompted analysts like Mirna Chitsungo and Luís Nhanchote to call for Rafael’s removal. They argued that his departure would be necessary for President Chapo to begin addressing the country’s security concerns and restore order.
In response to these mounting challenges, President Chapo has named Joaquim Sive as the new police chief. Sive previously served as the police chief in the provinces of Sofala and Nampula. However, his appointment is not without controversy. In 2019, Sive was suspended after at least 10 people were killed following a Frelimo rally at the 25 de Junho Stadium in Nampula. Despite this, Sive’s appointment signals a shift in Chapo’s approach to policing and security, as the new president seeks to restore stability to the country.
The situation in Mozambique remains tense, with ongoing protests and calls for justice following the disputed elections. Chapo’s leadership will be closely scrutinized as the country navigates its post-election crisis and the growing demand for accountability from both the government and security forces. The president’s decisions over the coming months will likely shape the future of Mozambique’s political landscape and its ability to recover from this turbulent period.
About The Author
