Media Wire Express Correspondent
South Africa briefly reopened its border with Mozambique on Thursday, only to close it again as post-election violence intensified in Mozambique, sparking clashes between demonstrators and police forces.
South African authorities also urged citizens to delay any non-essential travel to the neighboring country, where Amnesty International reported that at least 20 people have died and hundreds more have been injured or detained since the protests began in late October.
Earlier in the day, South Africa’s Border Management Agency had partially reopened the border, allowing limited passage for trucks and vehicles stranded there. However, escalating violence soon prompted a swift reversal of the decision.
The protests in Mozambique, led by opposition figures and their supporters, contest the results of the October 9 election, which extended the ruling Frelimo party’s nearly five-decade grip on power.
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Reports indicate police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Maputo, the capital, as unrest continued. Videos posted by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane show groups of young protesters marching towards Maputo, blocking streets with rocks and burning tires.
Mondlane, who garnered 20% of the presidential vote, reportedly fled Mozambique after two of his aides were killed just before the results were announced.
He accuses Frelimo of rigging the election to favor Daniel Chapo, who was declared the victor with over 70% of the vote by the Mozambique Electoral Commission.
The final outcome awaits verification by the Constitutional Council, which is responsible for addressing any legal disputes, including those raised by opposition parties Renamo and Podemos.
South Africa’s Border Management Agency reported that 15 Mozambican border post employees sought refuge across the border, citing fears of approaching protesters who had ransacked the customs area and looted trucks and equipment.
Agency commissioner Mike Masiapato described the situation as “just bad.”
In response, South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola appealed for calm, condemning the violence and expressing regret over the loss of lives and property damage.
Meanwhile, internet services in Mozambique have faced disruption since last Friday, complicating information flow about the crisis. The Mozambican government has threatened to deploy the army if necessary, alleging that protesters aim to undermine a democratically elected government. Human rights organizations have condemned the response, describing it as one of the harshest crackdowns in recent years.
