Mozambique Supreme Court orders unfreezing of Venâncio Mondlane's accounts

The Supreme Court of Mozambique has ordered the unfreezing of bank accounts and mobile money wallets belonging to Venâncio Mondlane, leader of the Anamola party. The decision, announced in Maputo, requires commercial banks and mobile services such as M-Pesa, e-Mola, and M-Kesh to release the funds immediately.

Mondlane’s accounts were originally frozen in November 2024 by the Maputo City Judicial Court following protests related to the elections that saw Daniel Chapo and the Frelimo party take power. The Supreme Court ruled that maintaining the freeze without the original underlying justifications would constitute an “unjustified and disproportionate restriction to the right of property and the free exercise of patrimonial rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

Some analysts suggest the ruling may facilitate Mondlane’s ability to cover legal costs for his upcoming trial on November 17, where he faces accusations of instigating the 2024 protests. As of the announcement, Mondlane and the Anamola party have not officially responded to the court's decision.