Lebombo Border Post partially opened to allow movement of people
The Border Management Authority’s commissioner said the South African side of the border has partially been opened, only allowing the movement of people back home.
The Lebombo Border Post has partially been opened. The gates were opened late on Friday afternoon, November 8, to allow the movement of people to go back home and empty trucks to return to South Africa.
This is according to the Border Management Authority’s (BMA) commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato. He had led a meeting with a delegation from Mozambique’s immigration services alongside the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie.
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“We are only allowing movement of people who want to go back home, either to South Africa and Mozambique. We have not yet started processing cargo. Negotiations are still ongoing that side and we will be notified once they have been concluded,” said Masiapato.
He added that even though the border is partially open, people should hold off on crossing the border for now.
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“We are still discouraging travellers from using the border until the situation has been completely cleared. The leader of the delegation on the Mozambican side was the chief of immigration, responsible for immigration matters. The key primary objection for engaging with them was to check their readiness regarding the port opening. They have indicated to us that they are now ready in terms of processing the movement of the people, hence we have partially opened as well. However, because we cannot guarantee the security aspect, we still don’t encourage South Africans who want to go for holidays to enter through this port. We encourage Mozambicans who want to go home to do so,” said Masiapato.
He said the Mozambican immigration side also indicated that they are not yet ready to process cargo.
“They are still setting up their computers and everything they need to process cargo at Kilometre Four. That is the reason we are not allowing cargo to go in as yet. We are, however, allowing the return of empty trucks from Mozambique to South Africa. We were also informed there were some South African trucks that had been vandalised at Kilometre Four. It is for this reason that we will also be allowing tow trucks to go in, pick them up and bring them back home.”
@lowvelder There are continuous protest actions on various parts of the TracN4 Toll Route in Mozambique. Operations are at a standstill at the Ressano Garcia Border Post tonight, November 5. #TrackN4 advised road users to avoid the border where possible, and to drive with caution. #lebombo #Mozambique #MozambiqueElections > Video: Circulating on social media
Masiapato added that the South African side has made several efforts to help the Mozambicans to get ready to process cargo in the next couple of hours.
@lowvelder The Lebombo Border Post remains closed while officials are locked in meetings to forge a way forward. Empty trucks from Mozambique are allowed entry back into the country. Officials on the ground have confirmed that they are yet to make a decision on whether the Mozambican nationals stuck at the BP fuel station should be allowed to return back home. #lebombo #border #election2024 #mozambique🇲🇿 #mozambique #komatipoort
