Mozambique: Wave of disinformation about the causes of cholera has led to murder

[Shiloh]

Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202401100476.html

Mozambique: 14 Cholera Disinformation Incidents Lead to Three Deaths
10 January 2024
Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)

Maputo — A wave of disinformation about the causes of cholera has led to the murder of at least three community leaders and the destruction of 50 houses in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, according to a report in Wednesday's issue of the independent newssheet "Carta de Mocambique'.

There have been 14 incidents arising from disinformation about cholera in five Cabo Delgado districts (Montepuez, Chiure, Ancuabe, Namuno and Balama).

According to the authorities, most of the cholera riots were led by people calling themselves "naparamas'. The original naparamas were a peasant militia formed during the war of destabilization, and which fought against Renamo in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The new naparamas emerged in Namuno district in mid-2022, and then expanded to other parts of the province. But instead of concentrating their activities against the islamist terrorists raiding parts of the province, they turned against the community leaders, the very people in the front line of the public health campaigns required to alert the population to the real causes of cholera and other water-borne diseases.

The naparamas, the authorities say, have led violent demonstrations in which the victims have been community leaders, health workers and police officers.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.macaubusiness.com/mozam...injured-due-to-cholera-misinformation-police/

January 19, 2024
Mozambique: At least 23 dead, 30 injured due to cholera misinformation – police
By AFP

At least 23 people have died and another 30 have been injured due to a wave of misinformation about cholera in Mozambique, the commander-general of the Mozambican police, Bernardino Rafael, has said.

“The police were called to intervene in 27 violent cases related to cholera,” in which community leaders were the main victims, said the commander-general of the Mozambique police (PRM), during a press conference in Ressano Garcia, in Maputo province on Wednesday.

In addition to the dead and wounded, 91 infrastructures were vandalised, mainly those of the government and community authorities, he said.

According to the commander-general, some Mozambican police officers were also victims during the skirmishes, when they were trying to guarantee public order and security.​...

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation google

Shipwreck in Mozambique: 96 dead, including many children

APA-Maputo (Mozambique)APA-MAPUTO (MOZAMBIQUE)April 8, 2024 | 06:43

Search operations continued on Monday off the coast of Mozambique following the tragic loss of life of at least 96 people in the sinking of an overloaded fishing boat. This boat, to which many anxious families rushed following rumors of a cholera epidemic, sank on Sunday evening.

“ We found five more bodies in the last few hours, bringing the total to 96 deaths ,” said Silverio Nauaito, administrator of the small island off the northern province of Nampula, where the tragedy took place. A previous report established on Sunday reported at least 91 deaths.

The fishing boat was carrying around 130 people, including many children, when it sank Sunday evening. Eleven survivors have been counted, but the number of people still missing remains unknown.

“ The exact number of missing people remains uncertain, as we initially know there were 130 people on board the boat. This data must be confirmed precisely ,” Mr. Nauaito stressed, noting that some bodies have already been claimed.

“ The last three bodies identified were those of children ,” added the administrator of the island of Mozambique, towards which the ship was heading.

Images circulating on social media show dozens of bodies covered with blankets lying on a beach.

Nampula Provincial Secretary of State Jaime Neto explained that the ship sank due to its overload and unsuitability for carrying passengers. Most of the passengers were trying to flee the mainland due to false information about an ongoing cholera outbreak, sparking panic, he added.

Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world, has recorded nearly 15,000 cases of cholera since October, with 32 deaths, according to official figures. The province of Nampula is the most affected, concentrating a third of cases. In recent months, it has also welcomed many displaced people fleeing jihadist attacks in the neighboring province of Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country.

An investigation was opened to determine the causes of the sinking, said the Secretary of State, adding that several survivors were hospitalized.
...

https://fr.apanews.net/mozambique/p...ge-du-mozambique-selon-les-autorites-locales/