Contralesa President Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena says the political situation there has dire consequences to the economies of both South Africa and Mozambique.

He says peoples’ lives are also at stake as protests continue in that country over disputed election results.

“Contralesa is seriously concerned about the situation in Mozambique. We have lost many lives there and the economy of Mozambique and South Africa is severely affected. Contralesa calls upon SADC to rise above partisanship, friendship and honestly intervene on this matter. Contralesa once more calls upon liberation movement and all organisations especially in SADC and in Africa to except the will of the people. We do not have what we used to call loyal voters. Voters are now voting based on performance not on loyalty. This situation in Mozambique need honest courageous leaders to seriously confront this situation,” says Mokoena.

Director at Africa-Asia Dialogues, Thembisa Fakude has called on the government to urgently consult with the Mozambican government, and other SADC leaders to address the current political stalemate in Mozambique.

Fakude says South Africa could see a surge in political refugees from Mozambique if the unrest escalates.

“If things go out of control, which can go out of control, you are likely to see Mozambicans crossing the border and coming into SA. And SA has to do something very urgently including with other leaders in SADC to prevent turmoil and instability escalating in Mozambique. And it will be very difficult from South Africans to prevent Mozambicans from coming into the country if problems heighten in Mozambique,” he says.