South Africa has closed one among its busiest border crossings with Mozambique following violent post-electoral protests within the neighbouring nation.
The protests have led to lethal clashes in a number of cities following final month’s disputed presidential election, gained by Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo social gathering.
The authorities say there are reviews of autos being torched on the Mozambican facet of the Lebombo port of entry.
“Because of these safety incidents and within the curiosity of public security, the port has been briefly closed till additional discover,” the South African border company stated.
South African police additionally fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at Mozambicans attempting to enter the nation by way of the Lebombo border, based on the News24 web site.
Lebombo, one of many 4 busiest land ports in southern Africa, is about 110km (68 miles) from Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, and about 440km from South Africa’s capital of Pretoria.
Travellers have been suggested to make use of various crossing factors between the 2 international locations.
Violence had unfold to Ressano Garcia, a small space in Maputo province, close to Lebombo, stated Michael Masiapato, South Africa’s Border Administration Authority (BMA) commissioner.
Mr Masiapato stated the South African facet was not affected, however security measures wanted to be taken.
“Some buildings have been set alight. For the time being we’re engaged on securing the Lebombo border in addition to travellers’ security,” he stated in an announcement.
“The border will probably be closed to make sure the protection of travellers.”
Reviews say protesters on the Mozambican facet of the border have burnt down an immigration workplace in that nation.
Seven Mozambican officers have requested refuge on the South African facet for security and safety, the authorities stated.
BMA officers, the South African police and the military have been engaged to cease the protests from spilling over into South Africa.
Demonstrations began on the finish of October in Maputo after Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo candidate, was formally declared the winner with greater than 71% of the vote.
Opposition chief Venâncio Mondlane, who got here second with 20% of the vote, went into hiding earlier than the outcomes have been introduced.
He cited fears for his security after his aide and lawyer have been killed as they have been making ready to problem the outcomes.
The protests have led to violent clashes with the police and at the very least 18 individuals have been killed, based on Human Rights Watch.
The web and social media have additionally been restricted.
A normal strike referred to as by Mondlane has continued, regardless of the prime minister’s name for individuals to return to work.
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Cristóvão Chume threatened to deploy the military forward of nationwide protests referred to as for Thursday.
Chume stated the post-election protests have been supposed “to vary the democratically established energy”.
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