South Africa shuts main border with Mozambique over poll unrest

South Africa has temporarily closed its primary border crossing with Mozambique due to safety concerns, the border authority announced on Wednesday, as protests over last month's contested election in Mozambique intensify.

Human rights groups report that at least 18 people have been killed in the demonstrations, where opposition supporters are protesting what they allege to be a fraudulent victory by Frelimo, the party that has governed Mozambique since 1975, Reuters reported.

South Africa closed the Lebombo border crossing in Mpumalanga province after reports of vehicles being set ablaze on the Mozambican side, the border authority stated. Lebombo, one of the four busiest land ports in southern Africa, is about 110km (68 miles) from Mozambique's capital, Maputo, and about 440km from South Africa's capital of Pretoria.

Security forces have responded with tear gas and live ammunition, while the government has restricted internet access. According to Top10VPN, the demand for VPN services in Mozambique has surged as high as 2,072% above average since the restriction.

"Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice," it said, adding that seven Mozambican officials had requested refuge in South Africa for safety and protection.

The latest protests in Mozambique are part of a week-long demonstration organized by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who came in second according to official results for the October 9 election but asserts that he won.

According to the Mozambican Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, police violence has resulted in 24 deaths. The interior minister defended the police response, stating that the protests had turned violent, prompting security forces to restore public order, which tragically led to fatalities.