After partial reopening of Lebombo border post, officials working to fully restore operations

JOHANNESBURG - Following the partial reopening of the Lebombo border between South Africa and Mozambique, officials are now working to bring operations back into full swing.

Operations were halted earlier this week amid violent protests in Mozambique.

Tensions flared in the neighbouring country after a dispute over the recent election results.

Close to 30 people have been killed during the demonstrations.

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 South African border officials met with their Mozambican counterparts on Friday to find solutions to long delays at the port of entry.

Not only have travellers had to divert their plans but trade has also been stalled.

The border is critical for the export of mineral resources to the Maputo harbour, including chrome.

Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Mike Masiapato, said that the backlog of cargo would take longer to clear.

"The place called Kilometre 4 had been seriously destroyed – the computers had been taken and on that basis, they had to replace those computers and make sure that they are able to reconnect and start with customs processing."

While the movement of people is being allowed now, Masiapato has called on leisure travellers to continue delaying their travel to Mozambique until tensions have been quelled.