By Aurélio Muianga
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Ressano Garcia border between Mozambique and South Africa returned to normal operations on Friday, as from 18.00, after three days of blockade by demonstrators who support the presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. They do not recognise the preliminary results of the 9 October general elections, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo, candidate of the ruling Frelimo Party with 70.67% of the vote.
The re-opening of the largest overland border point in the country happened earlier than expected because of negotiations between the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and the demonstrators. The latter wanted the re-opening to be delayed until 21.00, to coincide with the whistles, hoots and bangs ordered by Venâncio Mondlane. He had called for an hour of noise between 21.00 and 22.00, to end what he called the “first part of the fourth phase of the demonstrations”. For the three days from Wednesday to Friday he had called for a general strike, particular in the provincial capitals, the ports and the transport corridors.
In the three days that the Ressano Garcia border was paralysed, the Mozambican state might have lost revenue of 4.5 billion meticais (about 70.4 million US dollars). This figure is based on the estimate given by Tax Authority spokesperson Fernando Tinga for the earlier stoppage on 21, 24 and 25 October. Tinga put the losses then at 1.5 billion meticais a day.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.