SA re-opens embassy after Mozambique riots
2010-09-02 12:39
Johannesburg - Maputo is quiet again and the South African government has re-opened its embassy, the department of international relations and co-operation said on Thursday.
"[Mozambican] security services have taken control of the situation," said international relations and co-operation department spokesperson Saul Molobi.
"We assessed the situation and re-opened the embassy because we believe our staff will be safe. Our doors are open today and other staff will be flying back [into the country] on Monday."
He said there were no protesters in the streets of Maputo.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Wednesday, throwing stones, burning tyres, and looting shops in a demonstration against the rising cost of food, fuel and water.
The riots were organised through a mobile phone SMS campaign last week.
Protesters blocked roads and flights to and from the country were cancelled.
The Associated Press quoted a Mozambican state television report that seven people - including two children and two Mozambican police officers - had been killed in the riots, and 26 people injured.
Even though the situation had calmed, Trans African Concessions (TRAC) urged travellers to be cautious. TRAC operates the N4 Toll Route between Pretoria and Maputo.
Traffic flow
"Riots and protest action have been reported between Matola and Maputo," it said.
"Although TRAC's operations in Maputo have not been directly affected, lanes at the Maputo plaza have been opened to allow easy traffic flow through the plaza during these exceptional circumstances.
"Normal traffic flow at the plaza has, however, decreased substantially since the start of the unrest yesterday," TRAC said.
South African Airways said four of its flights to and from Maputo were cancelled on Wednesday, but that the situation was back to normal on Thursday.
"We took a decision to proceed with flights this morning and an 11:20 flight from OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg landed safely in Maputo," said SAA spokesperson Fani Zulu.
Anyone requiring further information could contact the SA High Commission in Maputo on 00-258-21-49-1614 or 00-258-21-49-0059 or the international relations and co-operation department on 012-351-1249 or 012-351-0924.
- SAPA