Mozambique’s presidential runner-up escaped assassination

Mozambican opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who finished second in last month’s disputed presidential election, said he escaped an assassination attempt in South Africa, where he sought refuge after challenging the fruit.

In a video posted to Facebook, Mondlane said he was in “mortal danger” after assassins came to his house to try to kill him.

Mondlane said he had to jump out the back door and run through a hair salon, carrying his bag along with his wife and daughter.

He did not provide any evidence to support his claim and Mozambican authorities have not commented.

Mondlane went into hiding about two weeks ago, after His assistant and lawyer were killed as they were preparing to protest the results.

Daniel Chapo, candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, was officially declared the winner with more than 71% of the vote, as opposed to Mondlane’s 20%.

Mondlane did not specify exactly where the assassination took place.

In the video, he said he was in the wealthy Sandton area of ​​Johannesburg.

“I ran from place to place with my wife and daughter,” he said.

South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP news agency that it did not even know Mondlane was in the country and that the incident should have been reported to the police.

The BBC contacted South African police but they did not respond.

Mondlane went into hiding before the results were announced, claiming his home was surrounded by security forces.

He has called on Mozambicans to organize nationwide protests against the election results, which are being challenged in court by the pro-Mondlane Podemos party.

The protests led to violent clashes with police and several people were killed and dozens were injured.

The Internet and social networks are also limited.

A general strike called by Mondlane continues, despite calls from the prime minister for people to return to work.

Three children were said to have been shot dead by police in different areas of the capital Maputo on Monday, while eight people were said to have been killed in the northern province of Nampula over the weekend.

Two different Frelimo offices were reportedly attacked in Nampula, prompting police to respond with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition, leaving one person dead.

Protesters then burned the house believed to belong to a police officer accused of killing a protester.

Mondlane has mobilized people to join together for a “final march” in Maputo on Thursday.

This is the end of the seven-day protest he called for last week.