Operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry have been affected again following a third wave of political protests in Mozambique.

These protests followed Mozambique’s national elections on October 9 in which the Frelimo Party took the lead, resulting in claims that the results were rigged.

The Border Management Authority’s (BMA) commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said the disruption at the border prohibited the officials to only process pedestrians and light motor vehicles.

He said the authority was urging truck drivers who intend to cross the border to opt for other alternatives. “The disruptions on the Mozambican side have affected operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry, impacting the movement of trucks in particular. The BMA’s officials are only able to process pedestrians and small motor vehicles for movement in and out of the Lebombo Port. We urge freight forwarders [trucks] planning to use this route today [November 27] to make alternative arrangements and exercise patience as efforts to resolve the situation continue,” said Masiapato in a joint statement by the BMA and SARS.

It further says the BMA and SARS have been informed by Mozambican customs officials of a protest action affecting the road between the Ressano Garcia Port of Entry and the Maputo Harbour. “The ongoing demonstrations have led to the partial closure of the road, affecting the movement of trucks. Despite the deployment of the Mozambican Defence Force and police to the area, the road remains inaccessible. The situation is expected to persist until about 16:00 today, pending further developments.”

It added that both the BMA and SARS are closely monitoring the situation and are communicating with the Mozambican authorities to stay up to date. These organisations will share more information as it becomes available.

A flyer circulating on social media detailed the plans of today’s protest, suggesting that cars were to be parked in the middle of the road at 08:00 and posters placed on them. The participants were then instructed to walk to work and to sing the national anthem for 15 minutes from 15:30, and the African anthem for another 15 minutes from 15:45. The flyer said that by 16:00, the participants should collect their vehicles and hoot all the way home. This will then be followed by so-called demonstrations and ‘saucepan protests’ at home.

A Mozambican resident from Hulene near Maputo, Bernardo Nhadumbuque, told this publication that the protest was peaceful, although it resulted in vehicles being parked along several roads for hours. “Most vehicles lined the highway near the Maputo Harbour and parked there as a form of protest. We demand the government to come up with the truth regarding the results of the national elections,” he said.

He also said many people did not go to work, while some of those who had parked their vehicles in the middle of the road walked there.