South Africa's immigration department has announced that it has temporarily closed the Lebombo border crossing with Mozambique due to the ongoing protests in Maputo.
As reported by the Reuters news agency on November 6, 2024, the agency took this decision after receiving information that cars are being covered in Mozambique. "Due to security concerns and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice," it explained.
The protests began after the Electoral Commission confirmed that Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party had 70.6% of the votes, while Venancio Mandlane, who is supported by the protesters, had 20.32%.
Human Rights Watch said that 18 people were confirmed to have been killed in the protests, but the number is likely to be higher.
The Minister of Internal Security of Mozambique, Pacoal Ponda, accused Mandlane of causing this protest because he did not accept the results of the election, explaining that the police force used to prevent it was appropriate, due to its intensity.
The supporters of Mandlane had planned that the protests would be more intense than usual on November 6, and that on November 7, 2024 they are ready to remove the Frelimo regime.
The Minister of Defense, Cristóvão Artur Chume, announced that the Mozambican government is ready to send soldiers and the police to quell the protests, warning those thinking of removing the Frelimo government.
