JUST IN: Mozambican port officials flee into South Africa again, Lebombo border closed as violence flares up
The usually busy Lebombo port of entry, bordering South Africa and Mozambique, has once again been temporarily closed due to safety concerns escalating in the neighbouring country.
The vast southern African nation has been rocked by violent clashes and protests in several cities following the disputed October 9 presidential election.
IOL previously reported that the border was closed Tuesday night, before it was re-opened on Wednesday.
However, on Thursday morning, South African authorities were forced to close the border again – amid protests taking place in Mozambique.
“The situation we are dealing with here is very much unpredictable and very much volatile,” commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
“This morning, around 8, we started having a situation where protesters started to intensify their protest on the Mozambican side, to the extent that they even burnt some of the offices at Kilometre 4 and they also looted some of the trucks,” he said.
“When that happened, it became clear that it is becoming very much problematic. Those people started moving towards the port, meaning they were moving from Kilometre 4 towards Ressano Garcia (town). The officials that side closed their offices and ran into the South African side.”
Masiapato said 15 Mozambican port officials have sought refuge on the South African side.
He added that the protesters are mobilising other people, and planning to travel to the capital Maputo to join the planned protests.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane told AFP in an interview that the country was at a "crucial moment", ahead of a protest he has called for later on Thursday.
On Thursday, IOL also reported that Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has had a telephonic conversation with his Mozambican counterpart, Minister Verónica Macamo, and the two ministers reflected on the current security situation in Mozambique, following the disputed general elections.
Furthermore, South Africa has welcomed the convening of the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit and the SADC Extraordinary Summit, set for November 20, in Zimbabwe under the leadership of chairperson of SADC, President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa.
At the gathering, Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of State will receive a report on the recent political developments in the region, including elections in Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius.
Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Chrispin Phiri said the summits would be preceded by meetings of senior officials and ministers, from November 15.
“Given the current security situation in Mozambique, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation encourages all South Africans to postpone non-essential visits to the country until further notice,” he said.
IOL