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He pointed out the absolute lack of schools and raods and the policy of compulsory cultivation of cotton v/hich was seriously prejudicial to the good of Mozambican people, the insolence of the
colonialists who used to'steal with impunity chickens, pigs, goats and other foodstuffs belonging to. the people and who grabbed
the fertile lands 0j? the Mozamfaicansexpelling them to arid lands,
"'in order to put an end to this situation, our people want independence", Comrade W-nomba told the Administrator.
The Administrator reported this occurance to the Governor
of the so-called District of Cabo Delgado. They both studied the
situation and correctly interpreted the people8s demand as
rious manifestation, of the awakening of Mozambican nationally
They then decided to crush that movement which was being borne
In that end, the Portuguese conceived of a Machiavellian plan.
They invited the people to meet at the Administrative headquarters at Mueda on the 16tli of June, with assurance that they v/ere
going to give independence to Mozambique in a solemn act presided at by the Governor of Cabo Delgado, for v/hich the people ....
should all be present. They insisted on the presence of Comrades
FAUSTINO VA.NOMBA, KIBIRITI and MODESTA, saying that the govern~_
ment of the country would be delivered to them.
Unaware of the trap, the people' v/ent. The Adminitrator had
ordered trenches dug around the administrative headquarters.The
Governor left Porto Amelia, escorted by a platoon completely armed and*equipped, under the command of sub Lieutenant TITO LIVIO
XAVIER (who v/as promoted soon after that mission, as well as all
the sergeants and corporals -v/ho composed the platoon.
When they arrived in Mueda, the Governor ordered the soldiers to hide on the shores of the river Chude, nee.? the plateau-
where the administrative headquarters v/as located.
At 5 in- the afternoon, all the people were gathered by order of the Administrator. The Governor addressed them, trying to
convince them to give up the idea of seeking independence, referring to the"nobleness of the civilising mission of the Portuguese", etc. The people interrupted him constantly-, shout ing" In dependence i"  ''v/e want INDEPENDENCES
At 5 in the evening, The Governor shot a pistol, v/hich uas
the signal previously agreed on with the soldiers to open fire.
The Portuguese soldiers attacked the defenceless people
with machine gun fire and grenades. The attck lasted for ten minutes. More than 500 Mozambicans were killed.
The 16th of June is a day of mourning for Mozambique. .
But oar brothers in Mueda did not die in vain. Their firm
stand for freedom inspired the whole population of Mozambique- ■-■ ,~