Mozambican mob loots truck carrying milk, driver says situation in country 'bad'
Truck driver Soviet Chirembwe told EWN how his eighteen-wheeler was looted by a mob of protesters on Thursday afternoon, who stole tonnes of milk from the vehicle.
An electronic message board warns South African motorists near the border with Mozambique of political unrest in that country. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - As tensions mount in Mozambique amid violent protests, people who have been negatively impacted have been sharing their experiences with members of the media.
Truck driver Soviet Chirembwe told EWN how his eighteen-wheeler was looted by a mob of protesters on Thursday afternoon, who stole tonnes of milk from the vehicle.
READ: Ongoing unrest in Mozambique will negatively impact its economy & SA - BMA
Chirembwe’s ordeal unfolded near South Africa’s Lebombo border on Thursday afternoon.
Chirembwe emerged from his vehicle defeated and concerned.
Not only did protesting Mozambicans loot tonnes of milk he was transporting from the country into South Africa but he is now left with the grim reality of no work due to ongoing civil unrest in the country.
He said that hundreds of protesters descended on his vehicle while he was waiting to be processed at the border gate in Mozambique, known as Kilometre Four.
"It's bad. Even the trucks coming from Johannesburg to Mozambique - they must stop. They mustn’t come to Kilometer Four. People mustn’t be close to Kilometer Four right now, the situation is very bad."
He said it did not matter what the load was, if a truck driver enters Mozambique, they would be at risk.
"They are taking everything. Even steel trucks are being looted, tyres, diesel, everything."
Hundreds of trucks remain stranded on the N4 as there remains no solution in sight to resolve the unrest.