Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Association of Small Importers of Mozambique (Mukhero) warned on Monday that the attacks on vehicles with Mozambican number plates in South Africa could affect bilateral trade and lead to a rise in prices.
“We depend on South Africa [for food imports], we may stop importing, and the consequence of that is that we may have a shortage of products in the country,” with a rise in prices, the president of Mukhero, Sudekar Novela, told Lusa.
Novela stated that the attacks on vehicles with Mozambican number plates are creating an atmosphere of fear, making a scenario of trade retraction with South Africa likely.
“It could turn into a fear that will not allow us to travel to South Africa,” he stressed.
Sudekar pointed out that the routes used by small importers trading with South Africa pass through a different province to the one where the violence took place (KwaZulu-Natal) but warned of the perceived risk and the fear of spreading armed actions if the violence is not contained.
The “mukheristas” mainly use the Ressano Garcia border, while the attacks have happened more than 300 kilometres away and have targeted vehicles that have been crossing the border from Ponta de Ouro, Novela explained.
The Associação Mukhero leader called on the Mozambican government to find a resolution to the violence” with South Africa that is taking place in that part of the province.
Mukhero has around 2,000 members who ensure the supply of food products to Mozambique’s cities, selling in the country’s main markets and shops.
Last week, Mozambican road hauliers also reported “fear” and “great shock”, adding that they were considering using different routes to reach Durban, a South African city, avoiding “the risk zone”.
On Tuesday, South Africa’s national police commissioner (SAPS), Fannie Masemola, visited the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal province, near the border with Mozambique, to assess the police response to cross-border crimes, the force announced.
“The commissioner’s visit follows the recent incident in which at least six vehicles, including a tourist bus and a lorry, were burnt on the R22 road between Hluhluwe and Mbazwana,” allegedly in retaliation against vehicle thefts in the area attributed to Mozambicans.
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