OVER 350 MOZAMBIQUE NATIONALS FLEE TO MALINDZA REFUGEE CAMP:

MALINDZA – In just two weeks, Eswatini has received 357 asylum seekers from neighbouring Mozambique.

The refugees are housed at the Malindza Refugee Centre in the height of the on-going political turmoil in Mozambique. Violent protests have rocked Mozambique since presidential lections were held on October 9, resulting in the death of 248 people, including 33 in a prison break on Wednesday, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.

Casualties

More than 1 500 inmates fled Maputo Central Prison in Matola, located about 15 kilometres from the capital Maputo, where police reported the casualties. Protests started in late October after Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) was declared the winner of the presidential election, defeating main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who is in exile. Mondlane has rejected the results, claiming widespread vote rigging and calling on his supporters to protest. He has vowed to instal himself as president on January 15, 2025. During the visit to the Malindza Refugee Centre, Minister for Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe said government wanted to make sure that those seeking refugee use the right ports of entry and they register with the Ministry of Home Affairs. She also mentioned that this is meant for security reasons, as police are also required to ascertain if they are not fugitives.

Plight

“In the refugees’ plight, the ministry has partnered with other stakeholders to map a way forward, like the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health, World Vision- the implementing partner of Refugee Camps in Eswatini and others,” she said. She added that with the continued influx, the Ministry of Home Affairs has discovered that it now needed help in the form of donations in terms of food, clothing, sleeping mats and blankets, among others. “We also appeal to individuals and UN agencies to help in the dire situation of the Mozambique nationals,” she added. Thousands of prisoners escaped from a high-security facility in Maputo on Christmas Day following a rebellion during which at least 33 inmates were killed, police said.
The chaos erupted amid violent protests and riots triggered by the confirmation of the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in October’s elections.

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