The usually busy Lebombo border crossing between South Africa and Mozambique has been temporarily closed once more due to escalating safety concerns in Mozambique.
This closure follows a wave of violent protests and clashes in several Mozambican cities after the disputed presidential election on October 9.
According to reports, the border was initially shut down on Tuesday night, then reopened on Wednesday, only to be closed again Thursday morning as protests intensified.
South African authorities took this action after unrest resumed on the Mozambican side of the border.
Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Michael Masiapato, described the situation as “unpredictable and highly volatile” in an interview.
He explained that around 8 am on Thursday, protesters on the Mozambican side intensified their demonstrations, setting fire to offices near Kilometer 4 and looting trucks.
The growing unrest pushed protestors towards the Ressano Garcia border post, prompting Mozambican officials to flee to the South African side, with 15 port officials reportedly seeking refuge there.
Protest organisers in Mozambique are reportedly mobilising further support, encouraging more people to join a planned march to the capital, Maputo.
Meanwhile, Venancio Mondlane, Mozambique’s main opposition leader, told AFP that the country was at a “crucial moment” ahead of a protest he called for later that day.
On Thursday, it was also reported that South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, held a phone call with his Mozambican counterpart, Verónica Macamo, to discuss the security situation following the contested election.
In response to the ongoing unrest, South Africa has expressed support for the upcoming SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit and the SADC Extraordinary Summit, scheduled for November 20 in Zimbabwe under the chairmanship of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
These meetings will bring together Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state to review recent political developments across the region, including elections in Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius.
Prior to the summits, senior officials and ministers are set to meet beginning November 15, as confirmed by Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.
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