Mozambique unrest is costing SA R10m a day in trade disruption

Post-election violence in Mozambique is costing SA up to R10 million a day in disrupted trade, says the Road Freight Association (RFA).

- Ciaran Ryan

The association's CEO, Gavin Kelly, has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step in and help bring peace to the conflict.

"We need a Statesman to explain to Mozambique that our country is suffering - and that there needs to be a resolve to agree on the way forward - and while that is happening, the corridor to the Port of Maputo needs to be secured," said Kelly in a statement.

"Our drivers, our trucks, our customers' cargo, the business image of thousands of African businesses are all threatened day after day.

"Drivers are beaten (and they have nothing to do with the political landscape in Mozambique), trucks are looted, burnt, roads to the Port of Maputo blockaded and the very Port itself placed under siege."

Mozambique's opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has disputed the October election results, which saw Frelimo's candidate, Daniel Chapo, return with a thumping 71% majority.