Mozambique: Importers stopped at Ressano border crossing with South Africa – Noticias

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Mozambique: Importers stopped at Ressano border crossing with South Africa – Noticias

3:03 CAT | 01 Apr 2020

File photo: Noticias

The supply of products from neighbouring South Africa may be affected by the ban on movement between the two countries at the Ressano Garcia border crossing in the coming days, Noticias reported on Tuesday.

Mozambican Customs spokesman Fernando Tinga told Noticias that the ban on the movement is the result of measures taken a few days ago by the South African government to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

According to what we learned, the ban does not cover importers who, by the date of the entry into force of the lockdown in South Africa, had already placed orders or paid for goods.

The president of the Association of Importers, Sudecar Novela, understands that the decision of the South African authorities will chiefly affect the supply of fresh products to the main domestic markets, particularly the Zimpeto wholesale market, which amalgamates the largest number of vendors.

Novela explained that few Mozambicans ore-order goods in South Africa because there is allegedly no mechanism in the country to facilitate the transfer of money from national importers to South African suppliers, so the option has always been to travel with cash.

Novela also said that a considerable short-term reduction in the flow of trade across the border at Ressano Garcia is expected.

“We received a document from Mozambique Customs, but it is not clear who the recipient is. Yesterday [Monday], two ladies from our associations travelled to South Africa, and we will see if this works out or not,” he added.

He also adds that, if the new measures bar importers from crossing the border themselves, they will be obliged to trust the drivers with their money.

Measures announced by the South African government include checks on the roads, so importers will need to carry licences in digital format. On their return, they will need to provide proof of what they bought and where.

Source: Noticias