Moz protests cost SA

Situation is particularly concerning for SA’s chrome exporters.

- Liesl Peyper

The closure of the Lebombo border post between South Africa and Mozambique and the resultant disruption to cargo moving through the Maputo port, is costing the South African economy an estimated R10 million per day, says Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association.

Last Thursday, the Border Management Authority temporarily closed the border crossing into Mozambique following a new wave of protests that broke out around Maputo.

"Direct losses to freight logistics is around R6 million, including damages to and loss of vehicles, injuries to drivers, the looting of loads and disruptions of import and exports," Kelly said.

He added that companies lost business due to unfulfilled consignment loads and experienced revenue losses due to the necessity of deploying extra security.

There have so far been eight days of delays at the border crossing, with full closure over the past four days, according to Kelly.

Hundreds of trucks carrying cargo, most notably chrome, have been stranded. South Africa is the world's biggest chrome exporter.