Luanda: The District Court of Cuango, located in the Lunda-Norte province, has sentenced five members of the ‘Movimento Protetorado Lunda Tchokwe’ to prison terms ranging from five to eight years. These individuals were found guilty of armed rebellion and association with criminals.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the sentences for the condemned are as follows: Alexandre João received eight years, while Pinto Avelino, Marcelino Dos Santos, João Muatxinguenji, and Orlando Muhengo were each sentenced to five years. António Sebastian received a six-year sentence.
In a related development in February 2022, the Chitato District Court sentenced José Mateus ‘Zecamutchima’, the leader of the ‘Movimento Protetorado Lunda Tchokwe’, to four years and six months for criminal association. Alongside him, Ipanga Chambangula was also sentenced to the same duration and jointly ordered to pay 500,000 kwanzas in court fees.
The court acquitted the leader and eight other co-accused of armed rebellion and crimes against
state security due to insufficient evidence based on the principle ‘in dubio pro reo’. Four defendants were ordered by Judge Baptista Guenjo to be expelled from Angola for immigration violations.
The Chitato Court also issued suspended two-year sentences in absentia to 13 co-accused for armed rebellion and mutiny, considering mitigating circumstances such as economic and social conditions and lack of criminal records.
The case stems from events on January 30, 2021, when about 400 members of the ‘Movement’, armed with various weapons, attacked a police station in Cafunfu, Cuango municipality. This attack was intended to seize control and lower the national flag.
The prosecution stated that in February 2018, ‘Zecamutchima’ sought permission from the President’s Civil House to hold demonstrations in Moxico, Lunda Norte, and Lunda Sul. He was advised to redirect his request to local authorities but faced denial under a Presidential Decree prohibiting gatherings due to a public calamity. Following this refusal,
the January 30 attack ensued, leading to casualties and injuries.