By Johnathan Paoli
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has temporarily closed the Lebombo border crossing point with Mozambique due to ongoing violent protests in the neighbouring country.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said the closure, which took effect on Tuesday morning, followed disturbances at the Ressano Garcia border town in Mozambique, where protesters set vehicles on fire and clashed with security forces.
The protests erupted in the aftermath of the country’s presidential elections held early last month, where the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, won 70.7% of the vote.
While the victory was officially declared, opposition groups have accused Frelimo of electoral fraud, including allegations of vote rigging and the presence of so-called “ghost voters”; fuelling widespread anger, and leading to violent demonstrations in several cities, including Maputo.
Mogotsi said the situation at the Lebombo border escalated overnight as protesters stormed the port of entry, setting alight several vehicles and buildings, including security guard houses.
“We are working closely with our Mozambican counterparts to monitor the situation. We urge travellers to avoid the Lebombo port of entry and use alternative routes until the situation stabilises,” she said.
The closure of the border post, located 100km west of Mbombela and 81km northwest of Maputo, is likely to cause significant disruptions to cross-border transport and local traffic.
Mogotsi also warned that protests against the border closure were possible if the trade disruptions continued for an extended period.
She said an increased security presence was expected at the Lebombo border to prevent further violence and ensure safety after more than 30 Mozambican police officers reportedly sought refuge with South African border security after fleeing the violent protests in Ressano Garcia.
BMA officials were in ongoing discussions with Mozambican authorities to find a resolution, while South African law enforcement agencies are were coordinating with their Mozambican counterparts to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of both border workers and travellers.
Opposition parties have alleged that Frelimo manipulated the electoral process, with the European Union and other international observers raising concerns about the legitimacy of the vote.
On Monday, Mozambican Defence Minister Cristovao Chume stated that the government was considering deploying the military to quell the ongoing unrest.
However, the continued violence and disruption to daily life, including damage to infrastructure, have sparked concerns about the stability of the region.
Initially, the BMA had confirmed that the Lebombo border post would remain operational despite the tensions, with BMA Commissioner Jane Thupana on Monday assuring travellers that the situation was being closely monitored, and that the border was still open for the movement of people and goods.
However, following the escalating violence and the torching of vehicles at the port of entry, the decision was made to shut down the crossing for safety reasons.
Thupana emphasised the BMA’s commitment to ensuring the smooth flow of trade and the safety of all individuals at the border.
“We are committed to providing timely updates as the situation develops. The safety of travellers and officials is our top priority, and we are working with local law enforcement to prevent any further disruptions,” she said.
It is one of the busiest border posts in the region.
Mogotsi said that as the BMA continued to monitor developments and work with Mozambican officials, travellers were urged to remain patient and consider alternative routes.
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