Former Renamo Fighters Desert Maringue

12 April 2011

Maputo — Major Albertino Bhola, third in command of Renamo’s armed headquarters in Maringue, in Sofala province, and his colleague Sergeant Matias Briasse last week abandoned the bush where the former fighters belonging to Renamo maintain a hideout. Maringue was a stronghold of Renamo during the 16 year war in Mozambique.

The two have deserted the movement that they once fought for and have handed themselves over to the district authorities. They explained that they deserted because they are tired of staying in the bush with no prospect of social reintegration.

Albertino Nelo Bhola was born 51 years ago in the district of Chemba, in Sofala province, and joined Renamo in 1979. He was formally demobilised in 2002, but stayed on in Maringue until he deserted because of what he called the breaking of promises made by Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.

Speaking to the newspaper “Noticias”, Bhola confirmed that the Renamo military base in Maringue still exists, with 510 men equipped with heavy weapons, bazookas, mortars, AK47s, vehicles, generators and communications equipment.

According to Bhola, he received 4,500 meticais a month (about 145 US dollars), while a platoon commander receives 3,500 meticais, a lieutenant 3,000 meticais, a section leader 2,000 meticais and a soldier 1,500 meticais.

A regular supply of food is delivered from Beira, while the troops also engage in farming.

Bhola said that of the three majors based in the bush around Maringue, only Commander Jorge remains as Jofrice Sindial has just been transferred to Nampula.

According to Bhola, he is living in fear of retaliation by his former colleagues.

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