ActionSA said while it welcomed the partial reopening of the border to allow cargo trucks to cross, the ongoing cycle of closing and reopening the border, announced by Border Management Authority commissioner Dr Mike Masiapata, highlighted the need for more enduring solutions.

The Lebombo port of entry between South Africa and Mozambique was partially reopened on Friday, to allow for the movement of people between both countries following deadly protests.

ActionSA Member of the Mpumalanga Legislature Thoko Mashiane pointed out that temporary actions, while helpful in the short term, were insufficient to tackle the broader, persisting challenges, including illegal crossings, cross-border crime, and the burden on local services.

Mashiane explained that the party’s previous support for the border’s temporary closure stemmed from genuine concerns about the spillover of political violence into Mpumalanga.

“However, the need for interim solutions, like temporary closures and reopening, reflects a broader issue: they are only stopgap measures that will not resolve the root causes of illegal crossings and the impact it has on our province’s finite resources,” she said.

She highlighted that while short-term actions were crucial for immediate safety, the party wanted it to be backed by a sustainable, long-term strategy to ensure safety and security.

Mashiane pointed to illegal entries and related criminal activities, which she said remained a significant threat, not only to public safety but also to the stability of the country’s economy and already stretched institutions, particularly healthcare.

ActionSA called for a coordinated approach that included the deployment of South African National Defence Force personnel, to support long-term stability and curb cross-border crime.

The party noted that while it welcomed Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie’s recent actions, it expected comprehensive answers to questions it sent, to gain meaningful insight that could support a sustainable approach to prioritising the safety and economic well-being of Mpumalanga’s communities.