Thandoluhle Ngcobo23 December 2024 | 12:38

Plans in place should violence flare up in Mozambique, says BMA boss

The Border Management Authority's commissioner, Micheal Masiapato, says they have already arrested more than 300 people for trying to cross the border illegally in the past 24 hours.

Plans in place should violence flare up in Mozambique, says BMA boss

South African authorities shut the Lebombo border post with Mozambique on 7 November 2024 as unrest continued in that country. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - The Border Management Authority's commissioner, Micheal Masiapato, says there are contingency measures in place for the movement of travellers should tensions flare in Mozambique ahead of the country’s election ruling outcome later on Monday.

Masiapato says they have already arrested more than 300 people for trying to cross the border illegally in the past 24 hours.

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He says they have engaged Eswatini leadership to provide a port of entry at the Mananga Border Post in case the Lembobo Border needs to be closed.

"We have been informed that the Constitutional Council will make the announcement at three o'clock this afternoon, just indicating as to whether they are affirming the decision of the electoral commission that side that declared Frelimo as the winner. But, of course, what we are hearing is that if they confirm those results, definitely the protests are going to escalate."