South Africa closes border crossing with Mozambique over election unrest

South Africa has closed a key border crossing with Mozambique due to post-election violence in the country.

Mozambique has been plagued by instability since the Frelimo party, which has been in power since 1975, won a presidential election on October 9 that the opposition deemed fraudulent.

South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, announced the closure after reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambican side of the Lebombo Port of Entry.

The border, Lebombo is about 110 kilometres (68 miles) from Mozambique’s capital Maputo, and about 440 kilometres (273 miles) from South Africa’s capital of Pretoria.

Authorities said they were working to reopen the crossing as soon as possible and advised travellers to use alternative routes until the situation has stabilised.

They added that a group of Mozambican officials had sought protection in South Africa.

South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Michael Masiapato said African officials are on the ground providing assistance with seven officials from the Mozambican side having requested refuge for safety and protection.

Earlier Tuesday, Mozambique’s defence minister threatened to send in the military to halt weeks of deadly post-electoral protests he said were aimed at overthrowing the government.

At a press briefing, Defense Minister Cristovao Chume stated, “Violent protests are destroying infrastructure, dividing us, and sowing hatred between brothers.”

He added, “There is a plan to alter the democratically established power.” “The armed forces will have to defend the state’s interests if the violence escalates further.”

The warning came ahead of a protest called for Thursday in Maputo by leading opposition politician Venancio Mondlane, who has dubbed it “the day of Mozambique’s freedom”.

Since last month’s election, Mondlane has used social media to mobilize followers to protest what he calls illegitimate results.

Human Rights Watch reported that security forces had murdered at least 18 people in crackdowns on protesters since the election, including seven over the weekend.

Mondlane and the Podemos party, which outperformed the main opposition Renamo party in the election, have asked the Constitutional Court for a voting recount.