JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa closed its border with Mozambique shortly after opening Thursday as post-election violence escalated in the neighboring country, leading to clashes between protesters and police.
Authorities also warned South Africans to postpone non-essential visits to Mozambique. Amnesty International said on Wednesday that at least 20 people have been killed and hundreds of others have been injured and arrested since protests began in late October.
The border was closed this week and partially opened earlier on Thursday to allow limited movement of trucks and vehicles stuck there, but the decision was quickly reversed.
Protesters in Mozambique, organized by opposition leaders and their supporters, disputed the outcome of the October 9 election, which saw the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49-year rule. Police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Maputo.
Videos on social media sites of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane show dozens of young people marching towards Maputo and barricading streets with rocks and burning tires.
Mondlane, who came second in the presidential election with 20% of the vote, reportedly fled the country after two of his aides were murdered before the results were announced.
The South African Border Management Agency said it has closed its side of the border after 15 workers from the Mozambican border post crossed in search of refuge and protection.
“They say the protesters are on their way and have just passed the area where they are processing the trucks and some travelers. They looted everything there, they took computers and they looted the trucks, the situation is just bad,” said Commissioner Mike Masiapato.
South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola called for calm and an end to the violence.
“South Africa expresses concern over the outbreak of incidents of post-election violence and regrets the loss of lives and destruction of property,” Lamola said.
Internet services in Mozambique have been disrupted since last Friday.
The opposition has accused the ruling Frelimo of rigging the election in favor of presidential candidate Daniel Chapo, who was declared the winner by Mozambique’s national election commission with more than 70% of the vote.
While the commission announces the results, it is up to the Constitution Council to verify them and deal with any outstanding disputes, including those from opposition parties Renamo and Podemos.
Mozambican authorities this week threatened to unleash the army to quell protests, accusing demonstrators of seeking to overthrow a democratically elected government. Human rights groups describe the government’s handling of the protests as the worst repression in years.
