The situation is tense! Borders are closed! Port operations suspended!

In recent days, large protests have broken out in the southern African country of Mozambique. Because of the potential threat to public safety posed by the protests, neighboring South Africa has taken a number of important measures.

South Africa has temporarily closed its main border with Mozambique due to public security concerns following a crackdown on post-election protests.

The measure is expected to affect the normal flow of goods and commodities in the region, where logistics is facing severe challenges as state-owned ports and railway companies struggle to provide adequate services.

The South African Border Agency (BMA) has announced the temporary closure of the Lebombo border crossing due to reports of vehicles being burned on the Mozambican side of the border.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the closure was due to public safety concerns and urged relevant parties in the freight industry to suspend traffic through the Lebombo crossing until further notice.

He also suggested that, where possible, alternative routes to Mozambique should be used until the situation stabilized.

In addition, Freight News reported that operations at the Port of Maputo had also been suspended due to the unrest. An official said that as of the morning of November 6, no cargo had been received at Gate 1 of the Maputo port.

Logistics operator Grindrod subsequently announced that it would suspend its port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola.

"Following the closure of the Lebombo border crossing linking South Africa and Mozambique and the suspension of rail operations, Grindrod's port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola were suspended in order to ensure the safety of our employees," the company noted. The situation will be constantly assessed before resuming."

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Gavin Kelly, chief executive of the Road Freight Transport Association, said the closure of the Lebombo border crossing between South Africa and Mozambique and the resulting disruption to the movement of goods through the port of Maputo was estimated to be costing the South African economy R10 million a day.