The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
«December 1983»

Dossier MZ-0020


1977 1978 September 1981


46. Recruiting Drive Starts in Maputo;
Further Arrests of Foreigners in Beira

March against the Bandits, 1983

Above: Military marching bands progressing through the streets of Alta Maé and Xipamanine in Maputo, in an attempt to mobilise the youth for the ongoing struggle against the MNR.

Lt.-Gen. Sebastião Mabote continued his working visits around the country making speeches and inspecting the state of the country's military structures in the ongoing conflict with the MNR. On the 27th he gave a press conference, announcing that the offensive that had been launched in March had seized the initiative from the MNR. By attacking their camps, the FPLM was able to break their main lines of supply from South Africa, which was supporting them. He claimed that the army had taken over 3,000 prisoners and "dozens" of others had surrendered. These numbers were hard to verify, given that other estimates had put total MNR strength at around 5,000-6,000 men.

Two Portuguese, António Fernandes Joaquim da Fonseca and António Martins da Silva Guerra, were arrested in Beira in the ongoing investigation into arms smuggling and other offences in support of the rebel MNR. In January several people, including Dion Hamilton, has been detained after goods destined for the rebels were found at Beira airport.

On the 17th a youth "March against the Bandits" from Alta Maé to Xipamanine was organised in Maputo by the city committee of the Frelimo Party. The objective was to mobilise young men to join the army to fight against the MNR; the event included marching bands and the handing over of gifts to already serving soldiers.


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