Mozambique Election Turmoil Leads to R10 Million Daily Trade Loss for South Africa

Following the elections in Mozambique, South Africa faces daily trade losses of up to R10 million, as reported by the Road Freight Association (RFA).

The association’s CEO, Gavin Kelly, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step in and help restore peace amid the ongoing conflict.

“What we need is a Statesman who can communicate to Mozambique that our country is suffering – and that a consensus on a way forward is essential – while making sure that the route to the Port of Maputo remains secure. This must be treated as a top priority, by any means necessary,” stated Kelly.

“Our drivers, trucks, and the cargo of our clients, along with the reputation of numerous African businesses, are consistently at risk.”

“Drivers encounter violence (despite having no ties to Mozambique’s political situation), trucks are vulnerable to theft and arson, routes to the Port of Maputo are blocked, and the Port itself is essentially surrounded.”

Opposition leader in Mozambique, Venâncio Mondlane, has disputed the results of the October elections, where the candidate from Frelimo, Daniel Chapo, secured a substantial 71% majority. The electoral commission has dismissed claims of electoral fraud, although international observers noted issues and irregularities during the counting process.

Currently in hiding, Mondlane told the BBC that protests should continue until Frelimo agrees to negotiations.

“Almost 70 people have died due to post-election violence, drawing widespread condemnation globally.”

The South African government congratulated Frelimo on its victory under Chapo, marking the emergence of the first Frelimo leader born post-independence.

Read: The background to Mozambique’s deadly protests

A letter from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference expressed disappointment over the South African government’s endorsement of the election results, stating: “It will be difficult to continue suppressing the desires of those who seek freedom. If the current administration continues on this path, governing the nation will become unfeasible, resulting in increased suffering.”

Focus on improving rail instead

As the Road Freight Association seeks Ramaphosa’s intervention for stability, concerns arise that South Africa might get drawn into foreign conflicts that could deplete resources and be challenging to resolve.

“We must concentrate on strengthening the railways within our own borders,” says Jan Havenga, a logistics professor at Stellenbosch University. “It’s clear that trucks moving from South Africa into Mozambique face considerable challenges. The border was closed for several days recently, resulting in traffic jams stretching up to 20 kilometers.”

“The solution lies in enhancing our rail systems and ports, as a single train can carry the equivalent of 30 to 40 trucks transporting goods by road.”

The ongoing instability in Mozambique has always raised concerns, noted by a transport expert. “In contrast, consider the peaceful transitions in Namibia and Botswana to better understand the situation. That risk has always been a component of the Maputo trucking scenario.”

Havenga also mentioned that the recent disruptions to road transport heading to the Port of Maputo might reignite interest in the often-discussed Trans-Kalahari Rail Corridor, which would connect Gaborone in Botswana with Walvis Bay in Namibia, potentially shortening shipping times from Southern Africa to Europe by five days.

Read:
Crumbling SA rail prompts Botswana to forge new route
Scramble for critical minerals spurs an African rail revival

Kelly warns of the possibility that Mozambique could slide back into civil war, akin to the devastation of the 1970s.

“Do we want to revert to that? Certainly not. Yet, without the timely intervention of a Statesman (or Woman), this scenario could manifest, leading to violence escalating into widespread warfare among different factions, further destabilizing the entire nation.

“Such instability could impede all forms of goods, commodities, and tourism from entering and traveling through the country,” Kelly concluded.

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