South Africa reopened limited crossings at its main border with Mozambique on Thursday morning, following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns.
However, cargo traffic remains halted, according to Trans African Concessions, the highway operator that links South Africa’s industrial hub to Mozambique’s largest port in Maputo. South Africa, the world’s top producer of chrome, an essential material for stainless steel, exports about half of its output through this route.
The unrest in Mozambique stems from the most severe election-related turmoil since the country’s 16-year civil war ended in 1992. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has claimed victory in the October 9 election, although official results showed a sweeping win for the ruling party.
Human rights groups report that at least 18 people have been killed in the demonstrations, where opposition supporters are protesting what they allege to be a fraudulent victory by Frelimo, the party that has governed Mozambique since 1975.
Business owners across the country are voicing concerns about the toll the protests have taken on their operations. Since the unrest began, over 150 shops have been vandalized, leading to losses estimated at around €354 million.
According to the president of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), Agostinho Vuma, the sector most affected by the protests was the transport industry which recorded a revenue loss of around 417 million meticais [€6 million] during the protest period.
