South Africa Resumes Border Operations with Mozambique
Cape Town, Dec 13 (NationPress) The movement of travelers at South Africa's principal border crossing with Mozambique is now open 'until further notice,' as announced by the country's Border Management Authority (BMA).
This decision follows the temporary suspension of operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry earlier this week due to election-related protests occurring in Mozambique close to the border. These protests have frequently led to the closure of the crossing since the announcement of the disputed election results in this southeast African nation on October 24, according to a report by Xinhua.
Jane Thupana, the Acting Commissioner of the BMA, has provided the latest information regarding the Lebombo Port of Entry, confirming that traveler movement is now resumed until further notice, as stated by the authority.
The announcement indicated that both pedestrians and small vehicles are being processed, with reports showing that 7,471 travelers were processed on Wednesday.
The statistics reveal that the current movement is approximately 50 percent lower compared to the same period in December 2023.
The authority noted that processing mainly occurs during the early hours and late afternoon when the unrest on the Mozambican side subsides.
However, cargo processing remains halted 'due to protesters obstructing their entry into Mozambique.'
The BMA mentioned that the situation is being closely monitored and recommended that trucking companies reroute their vehicles to nearby depots or to the designated truck holding area.
Transporters are continually advised not to send new vehicles to the port until further notice.
The authority also reiterated its dedication to effective collaboration, proactive management, and resolving the ongoing challenges at the border.
'The BMA is diligently working alongside key stakeholders in the border management sector to manage the situation,' the statement read. 'We urge all affected parties to exercise patience as we continue to observe the situation and engage with relevant authorities to identify enduring solutions.'
