Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed.

Mondlane says the Oct. 9 poll was rigged and has called on his supporters to take to the streets across the southern African nation of 35 million.

A heavy riot police presence was felt in the areas surrounding capital Maputo’s international airport where thousands gathered to welcome Mondlane.

A Reuters witness said tear gas was fired on crowds in the area and snipers were positioned on buildings around the air base.

Protests have continued, sporadically, for more than two months, and Mondlane’s return could add fuel to the fire.

Civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide said at least 278 people had died in the protests since mid-October, when the electoral commission announced the results extending the ruling Frelimo party’s half-century in power.

Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since the end of the war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, clinging on throughout a 15-year civil war that killed a million people before a 1992 truce.

Last year’s unrest hurt businesses and disrupted border access with neighbouring South Africa, while some people have fled to neighbouring Malawi and Eswatini amid the violence.

Mozambique’s top court in December confirmed the ruling party Frelimo’s election victory – despite multiple reports from observers that it was not free and fair – triggering a fresh round of protests.

Newly-elected President Daniel Chapo is to be sworn in next week, another potential flashpoint in Mozambique’s political crisis.

Chapo and Frelimo deny accusations of electoral fraud.

Reuters

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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced the resumption of cargo operations following the partial reopening of the Lebombo port of entry between South Africa and Mozambique.

Deputy assistant commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi confirmed that the BMA, in conjunction with the SA Revenue Service, was hard at work clearing the backlog following its closure due to violent protests in Mozambique.

Mogotsi said on Saturday that the port was opened for cargo movement after Mozambican authorities managed to address challenges with their systems to facilitate processing through the Ressano Garcia port of entry.

She said the initial reopening of the port was to manage the movement of persons, but the Mozambican authorities have worked tirelessly to address cargo systems for smooth border crossings.

BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato expressed his gratitude at the cooperation of both countries in restoring cross-border transportation despite the violent disruptions and unsafe conditions.

“We are pleased to announce that the Mozambican systems have been restored, with processing activities resuming at the KM 4 checkpoint on the Mozambican side.

“This development paves the way for the full reopening of the port and enables the BMA and SARS teams to work diligently in clearing the current cargo backlog,” Masiapato said.

Mogotsi reminded travellers to remain cautious and stay informed of travel updates while in South Africa’s north-eastern neighbour

She said the BMA and SARS would continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure secure operations for both South African citizens and the broader trade community.

The Road Freight Association revealed on Friday that South Africa’s economy has suffered losses exceeding R50 million due to the closure, with CEO Gavin Kelly reporting that the situation led to hundreds of trucks, carrying critical cargo such as chrome and coal, having been stranded at the border.

Tensions are high in Mozambique following Frelimo’s recent election victory. It has  sparked violent protests from opposition groups contesting the legitimacy of the results and voting process.

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Logistics company Grindrod has suspended port and terminal operations in Mozambique after South Africa temporarily closed the main border with its northeastern neighbour over safety concerns after a violent crackdown on post-election protests, the company said on Thursday.

The suspension will hit the movement of goods and commodities in a region already battling with logistical bottlenecks as under-funded state-owned port and rail companies struggle to provide adequate services.

At least 18 people have been killed in the protests, human rights groups have said, as opposition supporters demonstrate against what they say is a fraudulent election win by Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975.

South Africa’s border authority said on Wednesday that it had closed the Lebombo border after receiving reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambique side.

A Grindrod statement said it had suspended port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola after the border closure and suspension of rail services.

The company is part of a consortium granted a concession to operate the Maputo port alongside DP World, the Mozambican Railway Company and Gestores, a private Mozambican company.

Maputo port reported record volume growth in 2023, partly owing to increased coal and chrome export volumes diverted from South Africa, where state-owned Transnet is failing to provide adequate rail and port capacity.

In 2023 Maputo port handled a record 31.2 million metric tons of cargo, mostly minerals including copper, chrome, ferrochrome and coal, up 16% on the previous year.

Reuters

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