Two close associates of the leading opposition candidate in Mozambique, Venancio Mondlane, were shot dead in Maputo on Saturday as they prepared to contest the results of the October 9 presidential election. The victims, lawyer Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, a fellow Podemos party candidate supporting Mondlane, were ambushed and killed in their car in the city centre, according to witnesses.
Albino Forquilha, the head of Podemos, confirmed the deaths, while the national lawyers’ association expressed its deep shock over the loss of Dias. Civil society observer group Mais Integridade condemned the killings as an act of intimidation undermining democracy, calling the murders repugnant.
Mozambican police have launched an investigation but have yet to officially confirm the identities of the victims. Images circulating on social media showed the bullet-ridden car with the bodies of the two men inside. Witnesses reported that around 20 shots were fired by two attackers after several vehicles surrounded the victims’ car in the early hours of Saturday.
The European Union condemned the killings in a statement, urging a full and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
Mozambique is awaiting the official results of the election, scheduled for release on October 24. Mondlane, who challenged the long-ruling Frelimo party that has governed Mozambique for 49 years, claimed victory soon after the polls closed. However, he has accused Frelimo of electoral fraud, as the party claims to be leading in the ballot counts. Mondlane has called for protests on Monday.
Dias gained prominence last year after accusing authorities of fraud in municipal elections won by Frelimo. Recently, he expressed fears about an assassination plot against him in a Facebook post, according to Mais Integridade.
In a statement, the ruling Frelimo party condemned the “macabre act” and urged authorities to fully investigate the killings. The opposition party Renamo also expressed its sorrow, calling the deaths an “irreparable” and “tragic” loss for those who campaigned for the rule of law in Mozambique.
On Saturday morning, a group of lawyers gathered near the crime scene to pay tribute to Dias, applauding their fallen colleague. Later that evening, Mondlane joined around 100 supporters at a vigil in Maputo.
Mozambique has a history of election-related violence. Last year, a journalist was killed, and in 2019, an election observer was murdered during election periods.