With tensions remaining high in Mozambique, the Lebombo Border Post remains busy according to the Border Management Authority (BMA). The MBA has also managed to arrest hundreds of people for illegally attempting to cross the border.

Briefing members of the media on December 23, the BMA commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, indicated that a high number of people have been processed at the Lebombo Border in the past day. “We have processed around 26 000 people. Of this number around 20 000 were exiting South Africa into Mozambique and around 6 000 were entering South Africa,” Masiapato said.

“Therefore, this morning [December 23], we do not have any significant queues in the corridor as most of the people have been processed out.” 

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 Masiapato also indicated that the processing of trucks through the border has gone well too. There have been over 600 processed in the past day, of which roughly 500 left South Africa and roughly 100 entered South Africa.

“During the past 24 hours we have arrested around 350 people who were either trying to enter or exit South Africa illegally. They were brought to the port, we had to fingerprint them, and we declared them undesirable for five years and, therefore, had to deport them on the spot,” Masiapato said.

He concluded by adding they are awaiting the decision of the Mozambique Constitutional Council regarding the election results before they could take any further steps or make any decisions regarding either closing or keeping the Lebombo Border Post open.