SA embassy in Mozambique closes amid protests

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Sep 01 2010 19:02

The South African government has closed its embassy in Mozambique following violent riots in the capital Maputo, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday.

The road to South Africa had also been closed as rioters blockaded the route and set fire to a petrol station in the Matola, between Maputo and the border.

"South Africans travelling to Mozambique should call their airlines or the embassy to find out about the situation in the country," International Relations spokesperson Saul Molobi told the broadcaster.

Many South Africans were reportedly unable to get to the airport.

Four killed
Meanwhile, police in Mozambique killed four people and wounded 27 when they fired on demonstrators protesting against rising prices on Wednesday, police spokesperson Pedro Cossa said.

"Four people died, 142 were arrested and 27 were wounded, including two police officers. These are preliminary figures. Thirty-two shops were damaged. Police will continue to patrol the streets," said Cossa.

Young victim
One of the dead was a 12-year-old boy shot in the head and left in a pool of blood in the street, a school textbook resting beside him, an Agence France-Presse correspondent said.

A witness said the dead boy had been walking toward demonstrators when police opened fire with live ammunition.

However Cossa denied that police had used live rounds, saying "our officers always use rubber bullets".

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Currency slump
Mozambique has seen prices climb in recent months as the value of its currency, the metical, slumped against the South African rand.

The exchange rate is currently five meticals to the rand, down from a rate of 3,5 this time last year, according to exchange data from South Africa's Standard Bank. -- Sapa, AFP

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SA embassy in Mozambique closes amid protests

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