SA govt appeals for 'calm & restraint' in Mozambique following recent unrest

CAPE TOWN - Government has appealed for calm in Mozambique after October's election result sparked unrest, including on the border with South Africa.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said that unless an alternative finding was made by Mozambique's constitutional council, government accepted the outcome as legitimate. 

Lamola said that elections in the region would feature sharply at the extraordinary troika summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to be held in Zimbabwe later in November.

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Minister Lamola said that government was keeping a close watch on the situation in Mozambique ahead of the festive season, when it's a popular travel destination for South Africans. 

Lamola said that government was concerned about the violence and resultant loss of life and destruction to property but he welcomed the measure of calm that's returned to the Lebombo border following last week’s protests.

"South Africa calls for calm and restraint to allow the electoral process to conclude successfully and give the constitutional council of Mozambique time and space to validate the election result in accordance with its mandate."

Lamola has dismissed insinuations that government has been premature in congratulating the ruling FRELIMO party on its electoral victory after observer missions declared the result to be fair. 

"We can't not do what is the norm, what is an established practice because we are being seen to be protecting our friends."

Lamola pointed out that South Africa congratulated incoming US President Donald Trump even before the vote count was concluded.