Navigation
Script from JavaScript Kit
The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
«October 1982»
Dossier MZ-0020
32. Seven Portuguese Citizens Abducted;
the Arming of Citizen Militias Continues
Above: An enthusiastic crowd at a mass rally denouncing the MNR. The large banner reads "We want guns to fight the bandits".
The kidnapping by the MNR of seven Portuguese citizens, as well as two Mozambicans and two Zimbabweans (who were quickly released) from Maforga in Manica province drew the attention of the Portuguese newspapers. The seven were working for a private company at a sub-station on the oil pipeline from Beira to Mutare in Zimbabwe, about 30 km. south of the provincial capital, Chimoio. The group consisted of three men and four of their family members.
The call by President Samora Machel in June to arm the people continued to resonate, with rallies and occasional reports that local residents had prevented small-scale sabotage or had killed an "armed bandit". Multiple basic military training courses were held all over the country, including in such workplaces as sugar plantations or the ports and railways.
Under diplomatic pressure, the Portuguese government began to investigate the activities on its soil of armed counter-revolutionary groups such as the MNR, as well as the group behind Operação Kubango in Angola.
Consolidated Downloadable Zipped Files
Click on the yellow folder image below to download an unsorted zipped archive of documents and press clippings in PDF format concerning the armed conflict between Renamo/MNR and the Mozambican government in October 1982.
