NELSPRUIT – The new Mozambican Mpumalanga and Limpopo consul spoke to Lowvelder about the volatile situation in her country on Tuesday and advised travellers to not go too far up north as it was where the conflict was centralised.
Ms Ester Fernando Tondo has been the new consul to the province since July.
She said with regard to the kidnappings that not only the Muslim community had been targeted, but all wealthy citizens. “There have been strides in curbing this as six more kidnappers have recently been sent to prison.”
She said the consulate was unaware of how many Mozambicans were now moving to the Lowveld as she pointed out that there had always been a close relationship in this area with her country and its people. “Mozambicans are constantly visiting Nelspruit and your residents visit our country so it is hard to keep track whether there has been more of an influx here.”
Concerning the conflict between Renamo and the government, Tondo stated that at present most of the attacks had been further up north.
“I would advise travellers not to go as far as the Sofala province the conflict is mostly near the Save River and the small town of Muxungue.
“The N1 is risky at the moment but there is army deployed all along the road and it will be able to help with safe convoys if people cannot avoid going there.”
In response to the mining conglomerate Rio Tinto removing all families of its foreign staff due to the situation last week, Tondo said, “All of this is fear-based, but there is no real threat.
“They are just frightened. They are very far away from where the problem is.”
Recently South Africa's
High Commissioner to Mozambique, Mr Charles Nqakula who is based in Maputo, has also assured South Africans who wished to travel to the country the situation is stable.
Many tourists planning to make their way to Mozambique this festive season have raised safety concerns and threatened to cancel their trips due to the violence in parts of the country.
But Nqakula also stated that the southern and central areas are safe for travel. Yet Lowvelder spoke to a local businessman Mr Johan Botha who recently cancelled his trip to the country. “It might be safer crime-wise than here, but where is the ambulance if my family get shot? And hospitals? The police don't speak English. I refuse to take that risk,”concluded Botha.
