Mozambique unrest: 'Customs was looted of everything, even Home Affairs computers'
Speaking to Eyewitness News from the Lebombo border in Mpumalanga, truck driver, Soviet Chirembwe, whose truck was looted on Thursday, said it would take a long time for Mozambique to get its systems back on track for the borders to reopen.
A burnt-out vehicle at the Lebombo border post following unrest on the Mozambican side of the border on 6 November 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
KOMATIPOORT - Violent clashes between protesters and police in Mozambique's capital of Maputo intensified on Thursday as thousands of citizens took to the streets.
Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the protestors, who took to the city in support of ongoing calls for a recount of the country’s presidential election votes.
South Africa has, meanwhile, bolstered law enforcement at the Lebombo border after news emerged that protesters sought to again target the Mozambican side of the border post.
While political protests in Mozambique have resulted in at least 30 deaths, mass looting and damage to infrastructure, citizens are undeterred, demanding an urgent change of leadership.
Demonstrators are unhappy with the almost 50-year reign of the ruling FRELIMO party.
Speaking to Eyewitness News from the Lebombo border in Mpumalanga, truck driver, Soviet Chirembwe, whose truck was looted on Thursday, said it would take a long time for Mozambique to get its systems back on track for the borders to reopen.
READ: Ongoing unrest in Mozambique will negatively impact its economy, SA - BMA
Chirembwe said the situation on the Mozambican side of the border post, known as kilometre four, would not be easy to fix.
“Customs was looted of everything, even the computers for Home Affairs were stolen. Even if the strike ends today, it will take a month or two for everything to be restored at kilometre four.”
The port of Maputo has been severely impacted as tonnes of coal and chrome are unable to be delivered from South Africa into Mozambique.