As an immediate response to the announcement, angry Renamo and Simango supporters took control of the party’s delegation in protest against president Afonso Dhlakama’s decision of substituting Simango by Manuel Pereira. 
Kama majibu ya haraka kwa tangazo hilo, wafuasi wa Renamo na Simango waliojawa na hasira waliushikilia ujumbe wa chama ili kupinga uamuzi ya Alphonso Dhlakama wa kumtoa Simango na kumuweka Manuel Pereira.