08 November 2024| 06 Jumad al Ula 1446
The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) says it’s prepared to resume operations at the Lebombo Border Post as soon as they receive confirmation from their Mozambican counterparts.
Currently, operations at the border are on hold due to violent protest occurring in Mozambique.
Protesters vandalised infrastructure and offices used by officials on the Mozambican side of the border on Tuesday.
BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato, following a meeting with Mozambican officials, says during the strike, some of their computers and offices were destroyed.
“They are going to start setting up their offices so that they are able to resume operations. So, on that basis, they’ve indicated that they are going to be spending a few hours to be able to do that. In terms of customs, the chief of customs when we spoke to him indicated that they are busy trying to get computers but also to replace the vehicles that have actually been burnt which are very fundamental for the work as far as customs is concerned.”
Businesses bearing the brunt
Businesses operating in Komatipoort, near the Lebombo Border Post with Mozambique, are bearing the brunt of the ongoing post-election protests in that country.
Operations at the border have been suspended amid the deepening post-election crisis.
Some of the business people say they are forced to cut down on their staff.
“They will stock here. They would get their fruit and veggies and all the essentials for their households. For the past three or four days, there’s been a significant drop in trade. We are down about 90 – 95% of the total revenue that we would collect for the past few days,” says one businessperson.
Another one adds, “We do not have any business carrying on at the moment since the elections. There are lives at stake here, there are lots of people and kids starving. We wish for everything just to be sorted and it is not good for business in Komartipoort itself. There were a lot of businesses that had to close. We have to cut down on our staff levels as there is no feed. The expenses are more than the income.”
