Allegations of Betrayal Emerge as PODEMOS Members Face Abductions and Suspicious Deaths
The internal crisis within Mozambique's opposition party, PODEMOS, has escalated amid reports of abductions, disappearances, and the killing of prominent members under suspicious circumstances. Simultaneously, party leader Albino Forquilha faces allegations of accepting a bribe of 219 million meticais to abandon the fight against alleged electoral fraud.
On Tuesday, António Mandemu, a prominent PODEMOS figure and a key voice in protests against the October election results, was shot dead at his home in Búzi, Sofala Province. His death adds to the growing concerns over targeted violence against Mondlane’s supporters.
The situation worsened with the disappearance of journalist Arlindo Chissale, a vocal PODEMOS supporter known for investigating alleged electoral fraud in Nacala-Porto. Chissale was last seen leaving Cabo Delgado for Nampula over a week ago. Preliminary reports suggest that he and another PODEMOS member may have been killed for political motives. Forquilha's silence on the case has drawn heavy criticism from within the party.
Adding to the tension, Alex Braga, an author who wrote about Venâncio Mondlane's political charisma, was detained on Sunday in Marracuene alongside two PODEMOS members. Sources indicate that the detainees remain incommunicado, denied access to legal representation or their families—a development fueling internal unrest within the party.
Forquilha’s perceived inaction and the emergence of claims about his newfound displays of wealth, including luxury vehicles, have sparked accusations of betrayal. Many within PODEMOS are now questioning the leader's commitment to the party’s cause amid these escalating challenges.
Efforts to reach the party’s spokesperson yielded a terse response: “We are in the process of verifying the facts.” However, the lack of a decisive statement or internal inquiry has further eroded trust among PODEMOS members and supporters.
