As political crisis grapples Mozambique following a disputed national election and violent protests, the situation at its border in the South with South Africa is increasingly volatile, adversely affecting trade and travel.
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| Police deployed following violent protests in Mozambique |
The unrest in Mozambique forced the diversion of trade and travel from South Africa’s Leebombo Border Post to Eswatini’s Mananga Border Post, with Mananga serving as a temporary lifeline for those seeking passage from Mozambique.
South Africa’s Border Management Authority Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, told VOA, despite the fact that authorities are handling the situation, it has not stopped to pose huge challenges.
He said: “Even … when they deploy the military and when they deploy police officers on the corridor [between the capital, Maputo, and the border], it is not able to cover each and every area.”
The protests are “very much sporadic” and “very much widespread”, he added.
Mozambique plunged into unrest after presidential candidate Daniel Chapo’s controversial election victory Monday.
The violent protests in the country has left scores dead.
