South Africa’s border posts with Mozambique are operating normally, with no disruptions reported by transport bodies. Earlier warnings had raised the risk of potential retaliatory action linked to xenophobic tensions and ongoing protests against illegal immigration.
Road Freight Association chairperson Gavin Kelly told Freight News on Tuesday that no issues had been reported at the border posts. Similarly, the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta) reported that there had been no incidents as highlighted in the warning. “We have told drivers to be vigilant and at this stage the roads are all clear,” says executive director, Mike Fitzmaurice.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was scheduled to meet Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Tuesday to discuss issues related to ongoing bilateral co-operation and security issues following recent anti-immigration marches.
An internal SAPS intelligence alert warned on April 30 that Mozambican nationals planned to blockade Ressano Garcia and Ponta de Ouro border posts on May 4 in retaliation against xenophobic activities targeting Mozambican immigrants in South Africa. According to Business Day, the document said only Mozambican-registered vehicles would be allowed to cross and that language and accent would be used to screen travellers at the border. The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency also issued a warning to cross-border operators that the Lebombo and Kosi Bay border posts could be affected by the retaliatory action.
Eyewitness News reported on Tuesday that several people attributed increased activity at the border to concerns over a planned protest on the Mozambican side. According to the publication, Border Management Authority (BMA) Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ndivhuho Luvhimbi said the authority was aware of the threats and had increased its presence at the Lebombo border, with additional police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) patrols, as well as a drone pilot deployed in the area.
