Luanda, July 31, 2025 (Lusa) - The Commander-General of the Angolan National Police, Francisco da Silva, confirmed on Thursday that the authorities killed a woman who fled with her son during the riots in Luanda, claiming that it was necessary to ensure the physical integrity of the officers.
Francisco Silva pointed out that the woman, Silvi Mubiala, was in the country without legal status and had been participating in looting, stressing that the police had used proportionate means to ensure the physical integrity of the officers, “in the first instance, and to restore order” in the country.
The commander spoke to the press at the end of a visit to a police station also affected by the riots that took place between Monday and Wednesday in the Angolan capital and lamented the behaviour of citizens “that should better dignify” Angolans and “remains distinct” from their characteristics.
The head of the Angolan National Police said that the woman killed in the presence of her underage son in the Caop neighbourhood of Viana municipality was a foreign citizen “probably in an irregular migratory situation in Angola, who was part of groups carrying out looting, theft and disorder on public roads”.
“When that group tried to rise up against the police officers, it was clear that the police officer’s physical integrity had to be safeguarded in the first instance, and in this [situation] she was neutralised and died,” said Francisco da Silva.
“We regret the death, but the officer acted to safeguard his life, maintain his physical integrity and preserve the authority of the State,” he added.
According to the Commander-General of the National Police, the actions that took place over the last three days, following a taxi strike in protest against rising fuel prices and public transport fares, required “full accountability”.
“We found visible signs of invasion at the police station [which he visited today], and we recognise the motivations remain unknown. Fortunately, police intervened promptly, ensuring the protection of the police station from vandalism and damage. We are satisfied with the response,” he said.
Francisco da Silva stated that the process of disorder, riots and road closures took place in two stages. On the first day of the incidents, the authorities issued “several appeals and warnings encouraging people to adopt responsible behaviour”.
"Because they ignored our recommendations, the police had to use the coercive measures legitimised by law, I emphasise this point, to restore order. And it was during this restoration of order that many people rose up, protesters tried to attack police officers - as we saw here at this police station - invade police stations, loot goods in shops,” he said.
According to Francisco da Silva, the police used proportionate means to ensure the physical integrity of the officers and restore order.
“We saw in several videos that the police fired tear gas and other types of non-lethal weapons, but you could also see in several videos circulating on social media that the young people or citizens carrying out these acts were highly resilient to these measures and threw themselves at the authorities with great courage.” Therefore, what I can say is that the response was proportionate to strengthen the state,” he said.
According to the Commander-General of the Angolan National Police, “everywhere in the world” the police protect police stations, state institutions, and private property, acknowledging that the police response “resulted in many people sustaining injuries, which later resulted in deaths”.
Regarding the death of a police officer on duty in the province of Icolo e Bengo during the riots, Francisco da Silva lamented his death, the victim of a shot fired “by people also involved in looting, disorder and arson on public roads.”
“We are dedicated to clarifying this case, and we have an officer, a member of the force, to honour,” he stressed.
Residents of the Caop B neighbourhood in Viana, on the outskirts of Luanda, told Lusa today that Silvi Mubiala, 33, mother of six children, left her home on Tuesday to help one of her children who was lost in the riots and that Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) officers shot her at point-blank range.
A video that someone posted on social media, showing her son crying beside his mother’s bloodied body, sparked outrage and calls for justice.
NME/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
