Road freight on the N4 Corridor to the Port of Maputo has once again been disrupted by post-election protests between the border gate at Ressano Garcia and the truck-staging area at Kilometre Four (KM4).
This was confirmed on the morning of November 28 by a trade facilitator dealing with the transit between Lebombo at Komatipoort and the village on the Mozambican side of the border.
It was reported that protesters gathering between the border control zone’s gate and KM4 were not letting any trucks through, and that disruption of traffic through the crucial crossing was anticipated to continue until 4pm on Thursday afternoon.
South Africa’s Border Management Authority had also confirmed at 2 pm that they maintained a watchful eye on the situation.
From Maputo, footage was received of traffic wilfully blocking a coastal road leading north towards the Katembe Bridge across the bay.
The same facilitator, who warned transporters using the port about the situation in the capital, said rail freight services had been suspended.
Trains were not expected to run until 7 pm.
Operators with trucks already at the truck-staging area in Pessene, more than halfway from the border to the port, were also advised to instruct drivers to head straight to the Matola Bulk Terminal without stopping.
It was furthermore advised that trucks returning from the port should only do so once the all-clear has been given by concession company, Maputo Port Development Company.
Renewed political protests by supporters of Podemos, the opposition party that claims the 9 October elections were rigged in favour of Frelimo, is for the umpteenth time this month bringing bedlam to the corridor.
Yesterday, footage was distributed via social media showing a protester being violently run over by an armoured car in Maputo.
Although Podemos claim it doesn’t want violence, unruly behaviour from its supporters, met by violent resistance from the government, and the ensuing destruction of public and private property, have brought chaos to the corridor, an important supply chain artery for South Africa and Mozambique.
* This post was updated on November 29, at 8:25, with the following information received from a reliable source:
"Obstacles blocking the border entry points have been successfully removed following the scheduled conclusion of the protests. Traffic is now flowing normally to and from South Africa.
"From KM4, Moamba, and Pessene to the Port, traffic is also moving smoothly without any issues.
"Security measures along the N4 have been strengthened. We urge all drivers to adhere to safety recommendations for a secure travel experience."
