Maputo: Death Toll from Prison Riots Rises to 35, With 332 Inmates Recaptured

In Maputo, Mozambique, the death toll from violent riots in two prisons has risen to 35, as announced by the National Penitentiary Service of Mozambique (SERNAP) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Simultaneously, authorities have managed to recapture 332 out of the 1,534 inmates who escaped on December 25, 2024, from the Maximum Security Special Penitentiary and the Maputo Provincial Penitentiary.

The mass escape took place amid post-election political tension that has been unsettling Mozambique since the general elections on October 9, 2024, which confirmed Daniel Chapo of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) as the victor, sparking protests across various parts of the country.

According to Lusa news agency, the recapture operations were jointly conducted by SERNAP and the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). However, over 1,200 inmates remain at large, prompting ongoing search and capture efforts by the authorities.

The confrontations following the escape have led to a significant number of deaths, resulting in accusations of excessive force by security forces. The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) has filed a formal complaint with the Attorney General's Office (PGR), describing the events as a "massacre" and alleging "summary executions" by security forces. CDD director Adriano Nuvunga was vocal in condemning the state agents' actions.

Politically, opposition presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane used a live social media broadcast to deny any connection between the prison riots and the protests against the election results. He went further, suggesting that the escape was "deliberately allowed" as a strategy by the authorities to divert attention from electoral contestation, accusing them of manipulating the masses.

The political instability in the country, which has already resulted in nearly 300 deaths and about 600 injuries in clashes between protesters and police, is only compounded by this new episode of violence. Civil society and opposition sectors continue to press for a government response to allegations of abuse of power, while investigations into the circumstances of the escape are ongoing.

The government has yet to officially comment on the excessive force allegations but assures that operations to locate and apprehend the escaped inmates are still active, reflecting an attempt to restore order amidst a crisis unfolding on several fronts.

This incident highlights not only the security challenges in Mozambique but also the political tensions that could shape the country's future.