Mozambique protests: Travellers advised on border options amid disruptions

Plan carefully if you intend to travel to Mozambique this festive season because the ongoing political unrest has created a volatile environment.

Lebombo, about 100km east of Mbombela and South Africa’s main border crossing with Mozambique, has been badly impacted, with frequent closures creating traffic chaos. However, most other border posts remain operational.

Despite this, though, sporadic roadblocks and opportunistic disruptions still pose threats to motorists.

Also read: Mozambique in turmoil, South Africans should stay away

Dirk Fourie, founder of the Drive Moz community, confirms that most border posts are open and that they have not received news of incidents. Border posts in Zimbabwe, as high up as Mutare, are also reportedly open and have not reported challenges.

However, because of the unstable conditions and predicted escalation of protest action, he says neither he nor any of the Drive Moz Facebook group admins will be visiting Mozambique this year.

Protest action started soon after the Mozambican election results were announced late in October. When it was declared that Frelimo Party candidate Daniel Chapo had secured over 70% of the votes, Venâncio Mondlane, the leader of the Podemos party and a favourite in the presidential election race, immediately called for protest action.

Here are updates on some of the major borders between South Africa and Mozambique.

Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border – reroute through Mananga in Eswatini

The Border Management Authority (BMA) said in a statement this morning that the Lebombo border has temporarily suspended operations for general cargo processing as well as passenger movements, although some trucks were processed early this morning before the port closed again.

Jane Thupana, acting commissioner of the BMA, says travellers who need to travel to or through Mozambique are advised to use the Mananga border in Eswatini.

“This is only for pedestrians and small cars. This option of travelling through Mananga is currently not feasible for cargo trucks due to similar demonstrations targeting commercial goods at Boane, Mozambique, which would result in trucks being stranded on the alternative route,” Thupana said in the statement.

She said discussions are currently being held with various trade associations and stakeholders to get contingency plans in place.

“In light of the evolving situation and to minimise congestion, the BMA advises that transporters with depots in Komatipoort direct their vehicles to those depots.

“We also recommend transporters to park at the designated area at KM7, which is a truck holding area. Transporters are urged not to dispatch new vehicles to the port until further notice.”

The BMA says it has engaged with traffic authorities to manage traffic on the N4 corridor.

The authority is in constant communication with its Mozambican counterparts to keep them updated on developments.

“We will provide further updates as the situation develops.”

Although the Lebombo border is officially closed, Fourie says light vehicles are still able to cross.

“Although you might be able to go through the border, you are most likely to encounter a roadblock on the Mozambique side soon after entering the country. Blockages happen sporadically and are impossible to predict,” Fourie says.

Kosi Bay/Ponta do Ouro border

A resident of Ponta do Ouro, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed to Caxton Network News that the situation is calm in the holiday town and on the Kosi Bay border.

This was confirmed by several social media posts.

“Ponta is super calm and there are no signs of violence. The only thing that happened, that was related to the protests, was some people removing the ‘no alcohol’ signs from the beach.”

According to the resident, there is currently enough food and fuel in Ponta do Ouro. “We have the advantage of being close to South Africa so goods can be transported easily. The main problem now is in Maputo and Matola – so with goods coming from the other side of South Africa, a shortage might develop.”

She confirmed that the Kosi Bay border is peaceful and that it is easy to pass. However, she mentions that it seems there might be fewer holidaymakers in Ponta do Ouro compared with previous years. “I think a lot of people are afraid because of what they hear in the news.”

The resident says although it’s peaceful in the town, she is concerned about the violence in the rest of Mozambique.

“To be honest, I don’t see an easy solution. I don’t see any of the parties negotiating. I don’t know how it is going to end.”

Giriyondo and Pafuri border posts – Kruger National Park

Two border posts within the Kruger National Park (KNP) lead into Mozambique: the Pafuri and Giriyondo gates.

Isaac Phaahla, the spokesperson for the KNP, confirmed to Caxton Local Media that both these borders are operating as usual, and neither are commercial borders.

“They [the border posts] are not impacted at all, but the BMA is keeping an eye on the situation,” Phaahla says.

The Pafuri border is situated in the north of the KNP and borders the Limpopo National Park. The border is open from 08:00 to 16:00 daily.

The Giriyondo border is located south of Pafuri and is open from 08:00 to 16:00 from October to March, and 08:00 to 15:00 from April to September.

This border is only open to 4×4 vehicles and is not open to commercial traffic. Therefore, no vehicles weighing more than four tonnes per axle load are allowed.

Uncertain travel conditions

Fourie says fuel shortages, empty ATMs and electricity cuts all add to uncertain travel conditions.

“Running out of fuel or food and not being able to use your vehicle’s aircon while trapped in the heat at a roadblock is not somewhere I want to be,” says Fourie.

He also says there is no guarantee that the Mozambican government will not cut internet services again like they did in the past.

It is uncertain how and when protests will escalate in Mozambique, with Mondlane promising during a recent speech that Mozambicans will not have a traditional Christmas this year but that it will rather be celebrated with protests in the streets.

Fourie says the biggest threats are not related to protests per se, but rather to opportunists who are capitalising on the unstable circumstances and police absence by erecting roadblocks and demanding money from motorists.

“They suddenly have access to money and they buy alcohol with it. This makes them more reckless, arrogant and intimidating. During a recent incident [reported] on our Zello channel, you could hear the fear in the woman’s voice as she was confronted by a group of men,” says Fourie.

He says that although flights seem to be unaffected, there is a possibility that they might be disrupted by the protests because airports’ functionalities depend on resources such as people being able to get to work, and a steady flow of fuel and electricity supply to operate.

• This is a developing story. Caxton Network News will publish updates as they become available.