Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in South Africa, where he had sought refuge after disputing recent election results.
In a live social media broadcast late Sunday November 3, Mondlane recounted the incident: “Assassins came to my door intending to kill me. I had to escape through the back, flee to a hair salon in Sandton, near Johannesburg, and run with my family and bags.” Mondlane maintains he won Mozambique’s presidential election.
South Africa’s foreign ministry responded Monday, stating it had “no knowledge of Mr. Mondlane’s presence in South Africa”, and encouraged reporting any attempted or actual crime to the local Police.
According to Mozambique’s official election results released on October 24, the ruling Frelimo party, in power for 49 years, won the October 9 presidential and parliamentary elections, securing over 70% of the vote in a process marred by irregularities, as reported by international observers.
Mondlane, who claims to have now left South Africa, reiterated his call for a seven-day national strike to culminate in a large march in Maputo on Thursday, declaring it “Mozambique Liberation Day.” On Monday, activity in the capital remained subdued, with gatherings dispersed by police, often with tear gas. Since protests began in October, at least eleven demonstrators have reportedly been killed, according to several NGOs.