SA, Mozambique commit to border security and trade continuity amid unrest

“Security measures will be put in place along the Maputo Corridor towards the Lebombo border to ensure the safe movement of cars and cargo.”

This was said by International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola, during a joint interministerial meeting held at Paradise Creek in Malalane today.

The delegation included Minister of Defence Angie Motshega, and Mozambique’s ministers of Internal Affairs, Pascoal João Pedro Ronda, and Transport and Communication, Mateus Malala, among others.

When asked about deploying the SANDF to the Lebombo Border Post, Lamola stated: “At this stage, the meeting focused more on the bilateral relations between the two countries, such as issues of continued facilitation of border security. I will not divulge the plans and strategies as it is a security risk, but I can assure you the two countries will work and plan together to share information and also respond to each other’s challenges.”

Both countries have deemed our deliberations a success. Mozambican Minister of Interior Pascoal Ronda and @DIRCO_ZA assured that trade between our nations will continue with mitigating measures in place to prevent further disruptions at the Ressano Garcia – Lebombo Border Posts.… pic.twitter.com/kYLWRQzOkl

— Mandla Ndlovu 🇿🇦 (@Mandla_Ndl) December 18, 2024

Lamola said the two countries would await the outcome of the Constitutional Council, which will be communicated on Monday.

“That outcome is important for us as a country at a bilateral level between the two nations. It is also important for the multilateral forums that we sit in, the SADC [Southern African Development Community] region and the AU [African Union], which also continues to monitor the situation. In terms of energy security, this corridor is very important for South Africa, for petroleum products and gas through the pipeline. This meeting has also looked at mitigating measures in that regard,” said Lamola.

He further called for calm and restraint from communities near the Mozambique border to allow due processes regarding elections and economic challenges.

Ronda expressed readiness for any Constitutional Council outcome, adding that measures are in place to address potential protests.

“We are confident that we will be able to deal with whatever happens after the pronouncement by the Constitutional Council. This is not the first time that Venâncio Mondlane has threatened the situation in Mozambique. He did the same thing in November and told his followers that he would be in power. That did not happen. He manipulates young people to participate in these demonstrations. We will agree and accept whatever results the Constitutional Council presents to us,” Ronda said.

@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

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media

The Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique’s (Podemos) leader, Mondlane, has proclaimed that Monday’s outcome will determine the severity of the Turbo V8 demonstrations going forward. He also stressed that the council would prove whether they believe the ‘truth or lies’.

“The future of Mozambique will be in the hands of the council’s seven members, who will determine a direction of peace or chaos.”

Also read: Mozambique protests: Turbo V8 phase postponed; leader calls for week of mourning