With the election unrest in Mozambique and the public violence that has erupted in urban areas like Ressano Garcia on the N4 Maputo Corridor, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced that the Lebombo Port of Authority has been temporarily closed.
The closure is as a direct result of “reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambican side of the Lebombo” border.
In a statement sent out to the road freight community using the import trans-corridor to the Port of Maputo, BMA commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said: “Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice.”
The statement added that “this decision was made to ensure the safety of all cross-border transporters, travellers, traders and officials operating at the port”.
“The BMA is coordinating closely with Mozambican authorities and South African law enforcement agencies to monitor the situation and work towards reopening the port as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The Authority stressed that freight industry stakeholders should “suspend travel through Lebombo Port until further notice”.
Masiapato said: “Alternative routes to Mozambique must be used where feasible at the moment until the situation has stabilised.”
In the ensuing violence of protestors spreading through the streets of Ressano, setting fire to tyres and vehicles, seven officials from the Mozambican border had requested refuge on the South African side for safety and protection, the BMA said.
The Authority said that, along with counterparts, it was working urgently to address the situation.
“We are appreciating the cooperation we are receiving at the moment. The BMA and SARS (South African Revenue Service) will continue to provide real-time updates through official channels and notify stakeholders as soon as the port is deemed safe for reopening.”
It has since also emerged that, due to the closure of the border, Lebombo Border Dry Port (LBDP) was opening the runway to park trucks, said Barbara Mommen, a cross-border consultant.
“Please take note that we will get additional security to attend to safety and security.”
Transporters are warned that the situation in Ressano remains extremely volatile.
Footage coming through at the moment shows at least one burnt-out truck and mobs of angry protestors on the streets of Ressano.
The protests against Frelimo winning the national elections in October have reached fever pitch after supporters of the opposition party, Podemos, started going on the rampage because of suspicions that the election was rigged.
Mommen is advising transporters to get in touch with LBDP at 072 7006880, or: adminlts@lbdp.africa.
Enquiries can also be sent to the BMA by contacting deputy assistant commissioner of Communications and Marketing, Mmemme Mogotsi, at 072 856 4288 or, mmemme.mogotsi@bma.gov.za
