The leader of the parliamentary group of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), Liberty Chiaca, had initially stated that the armed attack in the province of Cuando Cubango had caused one death and six injuries.
Now, in the press release, the parliamentary group made a new assessment, condemned the attack and called on the competent authorities to open an investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
The same note states that the delegation of deputies was made up of deputies João Kaweza, David Kisadila, Jeremias Abílio and advisor Maurílio Luiele, who are in the province of Cuando Cubango for municipal meetings.
The UNITA parliamentary group highlighted that the caravan was "the target of an attack carried out by supposed regime militias" mid-morning on Friday on the Longa-Cuito Cuanavale section, with the action also resulting in material damage to eight of the nine vehicles that formed the column.
According to the UNITA parliamentary group, "at the time of the attack, the attackers shouted 'in Quito Cuanavale there is only entry, there is no exit for UNITA' in an authentic demonstration of political intolerance, wielding firearms, sticks and machetes and throwing stones at members of the delegation of deputies".
"The UNITA parliamentary group condemns the complicity stance of the Provincial Government of Cuando Cubango and the local National Police who, when asked to guarantee security to the delegation, in accordance with the law, did not do so", the note highlights.
In the document, UNITA urged the President, João Lourenço, "to assume his responsibilities of defending the life, rights, freedoms and fundamental guarantees of all citizens", strongly condemning the action, which he classified as "acts of terror, hatred , party fundamentalism and political intolerance".
"The UNITA parliamentary group also urges the President of the MPLA [Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola] to direct its structures towards full adherence to the spirit of peace agreements, tolerance and genuine national reconciliation", it adds.
However, the Cuando Cubango police confirmed the existence of four injuries in the attack on a caravan of UNITA deputies, but denied that the party had requested an escort from the authorities.
In a statement that Lusa had access to on Saturday, the provincial command of the National Police of Cuando Cubango, indicates that the attack was carried out by local citizens who "threw blunt objects" at the vehicles, resulting in four injuries.
The police said that the injured were treated at a communal medical post and that they reinforced operational measures with forces from the reaction and patrolling unit to restore order.
The statement also states that the provincial command of Cuando Cubango did not receive any request for an escort to guarantee the safety of the caravan, contradicting the UNITA leader, who regretted the absence of the authorities and said that they had received threats.
"Police bodies are working hard to identify the perpetrators in order to hold them criminally responsible", concludes the press release.
The provincial command also appealed to the parties "to collaborate with the authorities, whenever they carry out mass events" so that the national police guarantee security.
Parliament regrets attack and calls for perpetrators to be held accountable
The National Assembly lamented the attack on a UNITA caravan, which occurred on Friday in the province of Cuando Cubango. In a statement released by the Communications and Press Office, parliament states that it is convinced that the incident that occurred in the municipality of Cuito Cuanavale, "will deserve due attention from the competent authorities, for which the perpetrators must be held responsible".
In addition to regretting what happened, the note appeals to the populations to "respect peaceful coexistence, social peace and the precepts of the democratic rule and the rule of law".
"Let us remain firm in defending the principles and values of those able to defend peace, national unity and repudiate all those able to reveal political, religious and social intolerance, language of hatred and violence that should have no place in a Democratic State of Law", it is emphasized in the statement, which also expresses solidarity with the families of the victims.
