In a move prompted by escalating security threats in Mozambique, the Commissioner of South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr. Michael Masiapato, has announced the indefinite closure of the Lebombo Port of Entry. This decision follows reports of violence and instability in the region, including incidents where vehicles were set on fire on the Mozambican side of the border. The closure is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all cross-border transporters, travellers, traders, and officials at the port. “Given the increasing security risks and the need to protect public safety, the port will remain inaccessible until further notice,” stated Masiapato. The BMA is working closely with Mozambican authorities and South African law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to facilitate the port’s reopening once it is deemed safe.
The security situation in Mozambique has further deteriorated since the country’s recent elections, with opposition leaders like Venancio Mondlane fleeing the country after a series of violent attacks. Mondlane, a leading opposition figure, has sought refuge in South Africa, following the assassination of his party’s senior leader and his lawyer last month. Speaking from his hideout in the affluent suburb of Sandton, Johannesburg, Mondlane disclosed that he too had narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. As political unrest continues, the BMA has advised all travellers to avoid using the Lebombo Port, urging them to seek alternative routes into Mozambique. The closure has also led to the temporary relocation of Mozambican officials, with several seeking sanctuary on the South African side of the border for their protection.
The South African Border Management Authority is collaborating with its Mozambican counterparts to address the security crisis and ensure that normal operations can resume at the Lebombo border in due course. Dr. Masiapato emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations and commended the support received from South African officials, who are working on the ground to assist in managing the crisis. “We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals using the border. We are monitoring the situation closely and will act accordingly to facilitate a safe reopening,” he added. As the unrest in Mozambique persists, both governments are focusing on stabilizing the region and restoring order to ensure that cross-border trade and travel can continue without jeopardizing public safety.
