Mozambique has received nearly 20Â 000 citizens fleeing South Africa, said Deputy Foreign Minister Henrique Banze, adding that the government there had set up three reception centres around the capital Maputo. He denied reports that the Mozambican government had declared a state of emergency.
Mozambique said on Friday it had beefed up security at South Africa’s embassy in Maputo to prevent any retaliation over the xenophobic violence that has engulfed Johannesburg townships. ”We are taking measures to prevent retaliatory action by furious Mozambicans,” police spokesperson Arnaldo Chefo said.
Up to 15 illegal immigrants from Asia and Africa were trafficked every day through Maputo’s Mavalane International airport to South Africa, the Mozambican media reported on Saturday. O PaÃs said that this was done with the involvement of officials from the police, airports security, immigration and customs officials, and private airport security guards.