It seems like South African authorities were too quick to re-open the Lebombo border port this morning, presumably under the impression that calm was restored in the neighbouring Mozambique. Things have since taken a different turn, with tensions flaring up, forcing Mozambican border officials to flee to South Africa seeking refuge following violent protests.

BORDERS CLOSED!

Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr. Michael Masiapato, announced that borders had to be closed again for safety purposes. "The situation we are dealing with here is very unpredictable and very volatile. This morning, around 8, we started having a situation where protesters started to intensify their protest on the Mozambican side, to the extent that they even burnt some of the offices at Kilometre 4, and they also looted some of the trucks," he said.

STILL MOBILISING 

Masiapato said when protesters started burning trucks and looting, it became clear that they were dealing with a serious problem. He said protesters were mobilising and intended to infiltrate their capital, Maputo. "Those people started moving towards the port, meaning they were moving from Kilometre 4 towards Ressano Garcia town. The officials on that side closed their offices and ran into the South African side. So far, 15 Mozambican port officials have sought refuge on the South African side," he added. The Department of International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has called for calm to allow the electoral process to conclude and to give Mozambique's constitutional court time to validate the results. "South Africa calls for calm and restraint to allow the electoral process to conclude successfully and give the Constitutional Court of Mozambique time and space to validate the election results in accordance with its mandate,' Lamola said. Mozambicans took to the streets disputing last month's election results insisting they have been rigged after the Frelimo Party was declared the winner last month.