Trans African Concessions (Trac), which manages the N4 toll route, posted an advisory via its WhatsApp channel at 08:25 today, notifying the public that traffic at the border was at a standstill, with no vehicles able to enter Mozambique due to unrest in Ressano Garcia.

However, when contacted for comment, Mpumalanga Traffic Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said that other than ‘a queue of trucks, everything is normal at the border’.

“There is nothing really unusual because we usually have this long queue of trucks. There is nothing really to stress about.”

Trac communications manager Solange Soares told Lowvelder that motorists intending to travel across the border this festive season should be alert to possible border disruptions. “Check our real-time updates on X and our WhatsApp channel. Trac has no control over when, how, and who closes the border, and when the political protests flare up.”

She adds that if you can make alternative plans, you should.

Lebombo Border Update

–Border blocked by protesters.

Road open from km4, military police ensuring safe passage for trucks to Pessene.

-If you’re already in Pessene, stay put until further notice. Don’t attempt to leave.

-Next update around 16:00 or as new info arrives.

— SCP SECURITY (@SCP_SECURITY) December 5, 2024

Mozambique has seen several waves of protests and stoppages following its general elections in October, with the results being contested by some parties. This has affected the flow of traffic at the border on several occasions, with the road between the Kilometre Four (KM4) area and the Lebombo Port of Entry being blocked by protesters.

The KM4 area is along the N4 Maputo Corridor near Mozambique’s Ressano Garcia border post, where trucks and other vehicles queue to cross the border.

Club of Mozambique reported yesterday that presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane announced a new week-long phase of electoral contestation across the country, beginning yesterday. He has called for demonstrations in ‘all neighbourhoods’, including a halt to vehicle traffic between 08:00 and 16:00 daily.

The report says that, according to NGO Plataforma Eleitoral Decide, at least five people were killed and 22 others were shot in the country yesterday.

Border Management Authority (BMA) deputy assistant commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said: “The colleagues at Lebombo continue operating being guided by [their] Mozambican counterparts on daily operational activities affecting their side. The suspension of operations at Lebombo are done temporarily if guided to do so and they continue when operations in Mozambique resume.”

She added that the BMA continues to monitor the situation on the Mozambican side of the border, and that they reassess their operations within the ports if there are interruptions.

Lowvelder contacted the SANDF and awaits their comment on the matter.

*The article has been amended since it was first published to reflect the BMA’s comment on the situation.