According to the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), the arrest occurred "in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office," based on "strong evidence of the crimes of incitement to violence, public advocacy of crime, rebellion, and terrorism, as evidenced by a public statement in a media outlet, widely circulated on social media, in which he appears to be inciting the population to acts of vandalism and disorder."
The SIC indicated that Rodrigo Catimba "was on the run, following the consequences of his statements," and was located and detained in Benguela province. It added that, "once all formalities have been completed, the detained citizen will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office for further legal proceedings."
In the same statement, the authorities reaffirmed their "commitment to remain relentless against all citizens who insist on instigating violence and publicly defending crime" and called for the "correct use of social media, to prevent the dissemination of messages of hate and violence."
Rodrigo Catimba's arrest comes after three days of protests and riots in several provinces, following the taxi service strike called by ANATA.
The latest National Police report indicated 30 deaths, 277 injuries, and more than 1,500 arrests in seven provinces, including Luanda, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Malanje, Bengo, and Lunda Norte.
On Friday, in statements to the press, ANATA president Francisco Paciente distanced himself from the strike, stating that the strike had been canceled and was carried out by "unintelligible persons."
"ANATA was not the organizer of the three-day strike, as the strike had already been canceled (...). It was indeed called, but days later it was rescinded, and we believe that misinformation from profiteers did not help taxi drivers realize the strike was suspended," he stated.
Patient condemned the acts of vandalism and lamented the deaths that occurred, also contesting the arrest of his vice president: "This arrest is illegal, because at no point did ANATA receive a warrant for its vice president. Interrogations should be conducted and the doors opened for lawyers to understand the reasons that led to the arrest of our vice president."
Family members of Rodrigo Catimba told Emissora Católica de Angola that he was forcibly taken by individuals allegedly affiliated with the SIC, without an arrest warrant.
The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, has already spoken out about the events, condemning the acts of vandalism and stating that "whoever orchestrated and led this criminal act has been defeated."
The head of state also expressed "deep condolences to all the bereaved families."
