The Mozambican police dispersed this Saturday, with tear gas, a march in Maputo in honor of the social intervention rapper Azagaia, who died a week ago due to illness.

Hundreds of people began to gather in the early morning, but were prevented from marching in the Mozambican capital. This Saturday, marches were scheduled in honor of the artist called “people’s rapper” through other cities: Inhambane, Xai-Xai, Beira, Quelimane and Nampula.

On Tuesday, the funeral in Maputo brought together thousands of people, but the procession was blocked by armored vehicles and heavily armed police at a point along the route that would pass in front of the official residence of the President of the Republic.

There were moments of tension and tear gas was even used to disperse the crowd, which had to resort to an alternative route.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, the ‘rapper’ became famous for his open criticism of governance in Mozambique and for giving voice to the problems of the population, to such an extent that in 2008 he was even questioned by the Attorney General’s Office for the Republic (PGR).

The rhymes were not broadcast on public radio and television, and deputies from the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), in power since independence, pointed to him as an interpreter for the opposition.

Azagaia, the artistic name of Edson da Luz, died on Thursday, at the age of 38, at his home, after an epileptic attack, according to the artist’s family.

Police repression shows that the Constitution does not work, says activist

The organizers of the peaceful march in honor of the ‘rapper’ Azagaia say that the actions of the authorities are proof that the Constitution does not work in the country.

Quitéria Guirregane, an activist and one of the organizers of the march, told Lusa that when the police arrived at the starting point of the march, they said they knew the action was legal, “but they had orders from above” to prevent it.

“Those who gave the superior orders are those who do not show their faces, those who say that they give us a positive dispatch, but, behind the scenes, they tell the police: ‘now they are going to kick those people,’” he said, and concluded: “This is unequivocal proof that in the Republic of Mozambique the Constitution does not work.”

The country “works based on superior orders, from those who are in their offices and are afraid of Azagaia’s message.”

Quitéria Guirregane considered that the march would be “a peaceful and friendly homage action”, prevented by “a state of absolute shame”, after the organization complied with the law and spoke with the municipality in the preparation of the event.

“It was unnecessary to have this rapid intervention police,” he stressed, about the charge with tear gas this morning – and which ended up reaching the traffic of cars and passers-by in the center of the city.

“Then they will say that we are the ones who incite violence,” he said, considering that it is police repression that “will incite young people to destroy buildings.”

“Because young people don’t want to do bad things, but then they’re not allowed. What’s left? There is nothing left, ”she stressed.

“If a person was comfortable in the chair where he is, he would not be afraid of people,” he said, referring to the Mozambican rulers.

Quitéria Guirregane considered that in Mozambique we live “in a captured state, where there are people who think that the Republic belongs to them.”

The activist recommended that the participants disperse for security reasons. “We, as guests, cannot leave here without being held accountable to the people” and “our lawyers are on the way as well,” she concluded.