July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 12:41:00 GMT

Moz cops convicted for 83 prison deaths

MAPUTO - A provincial court found two police officers guilty of culpable homicide on Friday in the deaths of 83 people who suffocated when they were jammed into a small prison cell last November.

Terciano Mithale, the officer commanding the jail at Montepuez in northern Mozambique at the time, was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

His subordinate, Horacio Nhoca, who was in charge of the cell, was sentenced to 17 years.

The court also ordered the two to pay each of the victims' families the equivalent of US$920 (about N$7 590) in compensation.

Three other officers, including the Montepuez district police commander, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Many of the dead prisoners were supporters of the rebel Renamo group, now the country's main opposition party, who had been arrested after nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

At least 41 people were killed in clashes between protesters and police during those demonstrations. - Nampa-Sapa-AP

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