More than 1,500 prisoners took advantage of the ongoing unrest that swept the country, Wednesday escaping from a high-security prison in Maputo. This was after protests broke in the country upon the contentious confirmation of Mozambique Frelimo Party’s recent elections victory.
National police chief Bernardino Rafael confirmed that 1,534 detainees escaped from the prison, which is approximately 15 kilometers from the capital. The unrest came after the presidential election held on October 9. The highest court ruled in favor of Frelimo, leading to protests and violence throughout the country.
A prison riot in the capital also caused 33 deaths and 15 injuries, Rafael added. While the justice minister, Helena Kida, claimed that the riot began inside the prison and had no connection to the protest outside, Rafael said the civil unrest inside the prison might have triggered the riot.
Besides the escape, there have been attempted prison breaks at two other facilities. So far, authorities have managed to recapture 150 of the escapees, but security forces are bracing for a potential rise in crime as unrest continues.
Mozambique’s Interior Minister said that at least 21 people have been killed in the violence since the court’s ruling, although civil society groups claim over 130 people have been killed in clashes with police since the protests started.
As the country continues to become more unstable, authorities are worried about the rising threat of the prison break and the protest that’s getting out of hand.
