Founded by experienced helicopter pilots, Paul and Ingrid Erasmus, HeliCo recently obtained its operator’s certificate, allowing it to function independently. “We started operations in September last year [2024], and since then, we’ve been engaged in various missions, from heavy-lift construction projects to emergency evacuations,” explained the operations manager.

Due to Mozambique’s poor infrastructure, helicopters have played a vital role in the transport of personnel, equipment, and aid. “We enjoy technically demanding jobs, but given the country’s logistical challenges, we end up doing a bit of everything, including humanitarian missions and conservation work.”

Ingrid Erasmus noted that HeliCo has been involved in emergency response efforts, particularly during cyclone seasons. “Typically, these missions happen at very short notice. We’re often called in to transport food, medicine, or aid workers to remote areas hit by natural disasters,” said Erasmus.

Beyond humanitarian work, HeliCo has been actively engaged in conservation efforts, particularly in Mozambique’s northwestern Niassa region. “We collaborate with a carbon credits project to monitor illegal deforestation and wildlife poaching,” Erasmus explained. These missions involve community outreach, conducting aerial surveys, and providing logistical support to conservation teams.

In southern Mozambique, HeliCo proudly services the breathtaking Maputo Reserve, which is a short flight away from Maputo city. The reserve is particularly close to the hearts of founders Paul and Ingrid Erasmus,  who see it as a shining example of the country’s untapped tourism potential, offering a blend of natural beauty and diverse activities.

“You just won’t believe how beautiful the Maputo Reserve is from the air,” says Paul Erasmus. “It looks a lot like the Delta in Botswana, but with the added magic of a spectacular coastline, coral reefs, and inland lakes. It’s a remarkable area, still relatively undiscovered.”

HeliCo also operates in Mozambique’s volatile northern region, particularly in Cabo Delgado, where insurgencies have created additional security risks for companies and aid organizations working in the area. Given these challenges, risk management is at the core of HeliCo’s operations.

“Our clients are looking for helicopter transport to assist in lowering their risk profiles,” says Paul Erasmus. “Operations in these areas require careful review of up-to-date intelligence reports, engagement with insurers, and co-ordination with other operators to ensure the safety of both the aircraft and its occupants.”

Looking ahead, HeliCo aims to expand its fleet and establish more bases across Mozambique. “We want to bring in more versatile aircraft, station helicopters in strategic locations, and improve infrastructure to support rapid deployment,” they shared.

HeliCo also provides aircraft management services. A client has recently acquired an H135 light twin-engine helicopter, which HeliCo will manage and operate on their behalf. The aircraft is a significant addition to Mozambique’s aviation type register, potentially bringing advanced capabilities to the region.

From cyclone relief to conservation and security operations, HeliCo has positioned itself as a critical player in Mozambique’s aviation sector. Their work showcases the adaptability of helicopters in a country where infrastructure limitations make traditional transport difficult. As they continue to expand, their role in humanitarian, industrial, and security missions is set to grow, making them an indispensable resource in Mozambique’s evolving landscape.

The post HeliCo: Pioneering Helicopter Services in Mozambique’s Challenging Terrain appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Botha’s study highlights the growing frustration among local communities, who feel excluded from the economic benefits of resource extraction. While large multinational corporations have established operations in Cabo Delgado, employment opportunities for locals remain limited, and many perceive that only outsiders are profiting from the region’s wealth. This exclusion has created a sense of disenfranchisement, which ASWJ has been able to exploit to recruit new members and justify its attacks. The insurgents, in some areas, have even positioned themselves as alternative governance structures, providing security and distributing looted goods to win local support.

The study further reveals that organised crime plays a significant role in the conflict. Cabo Delgado has long been a hub for illicit smuggling networks that traffic drugs, minerals, and other resources. These criminal enterprises have provided financial lifelines for insurgents, who have capitalised on the region’s established illegal trade routes. While ASWJ’s direct involvement in illegal mining remains unclear, Botha notes that insurgents benefit from taxing miners, controlling transport routes, and engaging with illicit trade networks. This convergence of extremist violence and organised crime presents a complex challenge, making it difficult to isolate the insurgency from the broader web of illicit economic activities in the province.

Security responses from the Mozambican government have been primarily military-focused, with the deployment of national forces, the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF), and the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). However, Botha’s findings suggest that these interventions have not been entirely effective in winning local trust. Many communities perceive the security forces as prioritising the protection of corporate interests over the well-being of civilians. Reports of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and mistreatment, have further alienated local populations and, in some cases, driven more individuals to sympathise with the insurgents.

The insurgency has also evolved in its tactics. While ASWJ initially focused on violent attacks against security forces and government institutions, recent developments indicate a shift toward increased engagement with local communities. In some instances, insurgents have provided essential services, distributed looted goods, and engaged in religious outreach to gain support. However, violence remains a key strategy, with sporadic attacks against mining companies and foreign workers raising concerns about future threats to economic interests in the region.

Botha concludes that a purely military approach will not resolve the crisis in Cabo Delgado. Addressing the insurgency requires a comprehensive strategy that tackles the root causes of economic marginalisation, governance failures, and community resentment. She emphasises the need for policies that ensure local populations benefit from resource extraction, alongside efforts to combat corruption and improve the conduct of security forces. Without meaningful economic and social reform, the insurgency is likely to persist, evolving alongside the shifting dynamics of organised crime and resource exploitation.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado is not simply about extremist violence; it reflects deeper socio-economic and political fractures. As Botha’s research illustrates, resolving the crisis will require more than military intervention, it demands a long-term commitment to inclusive development, fair economic policies, and governance reforms that restore public trust. Without these measures, the province will remain vulnerable to continued violence and instability, with insurgents and organised criminals alike exploiting its wealth and its people.

The post Insurgency, Organised Crime, and Resource Exploitation in Cabo Delgado: A Growing Crisis appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

“The Acting Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Ms Jane Thupana has provided the latest update on the Lebombo Port of Entry, that travellers movement is now open until further notice.

“Pedestrians and small vehicles are being processed minimally with statistics reflecting that 7 471 travellers were processed on 11 December 2024. The statistics indicate that movement is about 50% less than what it was this time in December 2023,” the authority said in a statement.

This after the BMA announced the temporarily suspensions of operations for general cargo processing as well as passenger movements, due to the Mozambique side being affected by unrests on Monday.

On Thursday, the authority added that processing mainly takes place in the early hours and late afternoons when the unrests on the Mozambican side has subsided.

However, the processing of cargo remains suspended due to protesters blocking entry into Mozambique and the BMA is closely monitoring developments.

Truck drivers at the Lebombo Border post claim they cannot cross into Mozambique until January.

“The situation on the N4 corridor remains under close observation in order to minimise congestions. Trucking companies having facilities in Komatipoort are urged to divert trucks to the depots in Komatipoort, while others may divert trucks to the designated truck holding area at km7. Transporters are continuously urged not to dispatch new vehicles to the port until further notice.”

Thupana, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to effectively managing and resolving the challenges at the border.

“The BMA is working tirelessly together with key stakeholders in the border management sector to manage the situation. We urge all affected parties to exercise patience as we continue to monitor the situation and engage with relevant authorities to find lasting solutions,” said Thupana.

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The Road Freight Association (RFA) has repeatedly noted the security conditions, as well as interrupted logistics operations, to the various authorities – who have done admirable things above and beyond their daily requirements to address the symptoms (or consequences) of what is happening across the border.

It is very clear that, without the road freight route to the Port of Maputo – through Lebombo, that many South African mining companies face a very bleak future. Our own ports and rail systems have failed us (which is a shame) and the only alternative left to many industries was to make use of the Port of Maputo.

This has now been effectively cut off by the political unrest and continuing protests.

Is this not the time that our President steps in to bring about a peaceful resolution to what is happening in Mozambique? We have a Government of National Unity – which has many warts and tribulations – but is the most probable answer to progress.

We need a Statesman to explain to Mozambique that our country is suffering – and that there needs to be a resolve to agree on the way forward – and whilst that is happening, the corridor to the Port of Maputo needs to be secured. At all costs and by any means.

In the meantime, businesses across the SADC region are looking at bleak prospects in the interim. If you cannot get your goods to your customer (exported through the Port of Mozambique), then there is no revenue, no funding and no sustainable resources to continue in the business.

Our drivers, our trucks, our customers’ cargo, the business image of thousands of African businesses are all threatened day after day. Drivers are beaten (and they have nothing to do with the political landscape in Mozambique), trucks are looted, burnt, roads to the Port of Maputo blockaded and the very Port itself placed under siege.

In the past week there has been an inevitable and slow progression towards the reality that ravaged Mozambique in the early 1970s – a destructive civil war that left the country in ruins with a desperate population hanging on to life. Starvation, disease and land mines haunted every citizen every day.

Do we want to return to that? NO. However, without the intervention of a Statesman (or Woman), this scenario will become ever more true (violence erupts with outright war between various factions and the whole country becomes unstable).

This means any form of product or commodity and passengers/tourism will be halted into and through the country.

The severe disruption of all trade logistics (air, rail, road and sea) will come to a halt and that means huge financial repercussions for both countries (and the greater SADC): loss of revenue in terms of duties and income tax, VAT, company tax, as well as loss of income for businesses (large and small).

The RFA estimates that the full closure / suspension of Port of Maputo operations and the ceasing of any road freight logistics within Mozambique costs around R10 million a day (total cost to SA economy only). Direct losses to freight logistics is around R6mil (includes damage to / loss of vehicles, injury / loss of drivers, looting of loads, inability to retrieve vehicles / disruptions of exports / imports / loss of business due to consignment loads not being fulfilled / loss of fleet capacity to perform linked or other load agreements, loss of revenue for operations / extra security deployments.

The remaining R4 million a day is lost in other sectors including servicing, manufacturing, tourism, retail, mining and agriculture (some of which have more reliance of road freight transport than others).

That means less jobs, higher unemployment, hunger, and all those other “small” things that go hand-in-hand with a collapsing economy. One business at a time – so an economy collapses, and we have seen enough of that in Africa already.

The RFA calls on those who have the connections, the status, the ability to intervene to play the role of statesman. This is about Mozambique, South Africa and the SADC region.

Written by Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association (RFA).

The post Our Country needs the voice of reason and wisdom to resolve the Mozambican tragedy – RFA appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Speaking at the Border Management Conference and Expo in Pretoria on 13 November, Else said that the real threat of terrorism in South Africa has been an open question for a very long time because no real empirical research has been done into this area. Nevertheless, he has identified three major terror threats in South Africa. The first is right wing extremist groups, but “that situation is more or less under control as those groups have been monitored quite effectively.” The leaders of the National Christian Resistance Movement aka ‘Crusaders’ right-wing organisation have been imprisoned, for example.

The second, and far more serious, challenge is the Islamist extremist threat. In places like Mayfair, Soweto, the East Rand, and Hillbrow, “we picked up a lot of radicalisation taking place especially at madrasas, especially where they are indoctrinating children as young as 11. This is ongoing and sustained. If we don’t deal with this in its early stages, it might get out of hand,” Els warned.

Another major concern is terrorism funding. Over a year ago South Africa received a “wakeup call” when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey listed South Africa because of the country’s less than adequate addressing of the threat of money laundering and terror funding. The country is making efforts to get off the grey list and may come off it next year following another audit.

“Why is South Africa attractive for terror funding? Infrastructure and an advanced banking system make moving funds easy,” Els explained, adding that the high crime rate makes it easy to generate illicit funding; high levels of corruption enable actors to operate with impunity; and terror groups work closely with organised crime. South Africa is investigating some 20 cases of terror funding as part of getting off the grey list, Els said.

South Africa is not alone on the grey list – out of the other countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, and Tanzania are also on the grey list.

Growing terrorism in Africa

The rise in Islamist extremist should be seen in the context of increasing terrorism on the continent. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s latest Global Terrorism Index, the epicentre of terrorism has moved from the Middle East to Africa, with Burkina Faso taking the top spot in terms of terror activity – Mali is number three on the global list, and Somalia 7, while Nigeria is ranked 8. Multiple terror groups are active in Africa, including Boko Haram, JNIM, Al Shabaab, Islamic State, and ADF. Terrorism deaths are now considerably higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in any other region.

Els said that South Africa is ranked at 89 on the list only because the Index measures attacks, but a lot of funding leaves South Africa for Somalia where it goes to Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mozambique. Kenya is also a terror finance hotbed.

Tighter border security needed

“Borders are the weak underbelly of the South African system. If we do not mange it, it could become the main conduit,” Els said. Weak and under-resourced borders are “making us more vulnerable to terrorism. Terrorists are exploiting this.” He cited an example of the Lebombo port of entry with Mozambique. Taxi drivers regularly stop before the border post, drop passengers who run through holes in the border fence, and pick up the passengers after they have crossed into Mozambique. “Only the driver is processed. The rest of the passengers walk around the border post.”

Across the border in Mozambique, Els said when the insurgency in Cabo Delgado got going in 2017, recruits from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda flocked there. Mozambique’s weak response means terrorists are still active, with insurgents having a free hand outside the green zones around Pemba, Palma, and Mocimboa da Praia.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique recently withdrew to focus on the DRC, leaving “a huge void” in addressing and countering the threat. Els noted that protests against the government following a disputed election have contributed to the anarchy in Cabo Delgado and a rise in attacks.

“It’s open knowledge there’s a constant flow of money and people from South Africa to Mozambique. I interviewed Cabo Delgado immigration officials and they said they have 21 South Africans fighting there,” Els said, but that’s not all of them.

“Why are borders the weakest link? if we don’t contain and counter, the problem could erupt,” Els told the conference. Outside threats to South Africa include Islamic State recruitment and radicalisation, and terror groups mobilising logistics in South Africa. However, the elephant in the room is corruption and compromised actors that are facilitating porous borders, such as corruption immigration and Home Affairs officials that allow illegal immigrants to move across, or provide false documentation. Lack of effective cooperation with neighbouring countries is also something of a concern when it comes to border security, Els said.

Other concerns he highlighted include under-resourced agencies, weak intelligence, weak crime combating capability (which is reflected in crime statistics), and weak investigation capacity (there is currently aa shortage of 8 000 detectives in South Africa).

“Law enforcement is doing a great job given the circumstances. We are on the back foot due to resources, capacity and skills. Intelligence capacity in South Africa is lacking and the FATF addressed this in their assessment of South Africa.”

Recommendations

Els provided a list of recommendations towards addressing South Africa’s terrorism challenges. “The South African Counter-Terrorism Strategy is classified. We need to develop a more holistic approach towards that,” he said. He also called for regular updates to the strategy as well as the political will to deal with foreign terror groups.

Terror funding and money laundering should be continuously targeted. “Capacity building is essential. Our skills deficit is moving from the state to the private sector.” Other recommendations are more countries implement the SADC Transnational Organised Crime Strategy and SADC Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and South Africa develop a proactive rather than reactive approach to terrorism.

The post South Africa facing three major terrorism threats – expert appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

The largest drug “take” for the month was on the Mpumalanga/Mozambique border where soldiers prevented over R5.6 million worth of unspecified drugs from reaching South African users. Soldiers tasked with patrolling KwaZulu-Natal’s borders with Eswatini and Mozambique confiscated – again – unspecified drugs from smugglers valued at R1.1 million with the Limpopo/Zimbabwe border the only other one to yield narcotics, a minor amount valued at just R348, according to Joint Operations statistics supplied to defenceWeb.

Contraband-wise the Limpopo/Zimbabwe border could be termed the most productive with soldiers confiscating just over R6 million worth. As has become standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Joint Operation Division of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) when reporting on Corona activities, there is no mention of specific contraband, for example, cigarettes, liquor, pharmaceuticals as well as imitation branded clothing and footwear. Smugglers attempting to bring contraband into South Africa by way of the Mpumalanga/Mozambique surrendered R1.6 million worth of illegal goods to soldiers. Batswana smugglers found themselves short of contraband valued at R46 320 when attempting illegal entry via the Botswana/North West border.

Corona’s original tasking – to prevent illegal immigration – remains a standing order for the operation with 246 illegals apprehended and handed to police and Department of Home Affair (DHA) immigration officers in October.

The single largest group apprehended was 78 Mozambicans followed by 63 Basotho and 41 Zimbabweans. A total of 23 criminals were also arrested along South Africa’s borders last month.

Stolen vehicles worth R6.4 million were recovered along the South Africa/Zimbabwe border, followed by a stolen vehicle worth R975 000 recovered in Mpumalanga on the border with Mozambique. Stolen vehicles worth R712 000 were also recovered in the North West along the border with Botswana.

Joint Operations records livestock illegally grazing and for October said the value of animals found to be illegally grazing amounted to R1.5 million across five borderlines.

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These protests, driven by political tensions, led to reports of vehicles being set on fire on the Mozambican side of the border. While the border was initially closed to manage security risks, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato confirmed that the situation had improved, with the Mozambican authorities restoring their systems to allow the resumption of processing activities at the KM 4 checkpoint. This marks a step toward the full reopening of the point of entry, which will also help clear the cargo backlog in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

“The Mozambican systems have been restored, and processing activities have resumed on their side. This development enables the BMA and SARS to work diligently to clear the current backlog,” Masiapato said. The resumption of cargo processing through the Ressano Garcia port of entry into Mozambique follows concerted efforts by Mozambican authorities to resolve the issues with their systems, ensuring smoother border operations.

However, despite the resumption of cargo operations, the BMA continues to advise caution for travelers. Travelers have been warned to “remain cautious and stay informed of travel updates when planning trips to Mozambique,” Masiapato stressed, while also urging travelers to consider alternative ports, such as the Mananga port, which is located 60km from Lebombo. “We’ve advised travelers to use this port for passage into Eswatini, which will ultimately allow them to enter Mozambique safely.”

The BMA also emphasized that the partial reopening of the border was initially to allow Mozambicans to return home, with Masiapato noting “for the ordinary Mozambicans who say ‘I want to go back home’, we should not necessarily continue to refuse them to do so.” However, Mozambican authorities had further “worked tirelessly to address cargo systems for smooth border processing,” Masiapato noted, with the border now able to process cargo.

As for South African nationals, Masiapato confirmed that there have been no reports of South Africans being “under siege” on the Mozambican side. The primary concerns have been related to the movement of South African trucks, including six petroleum trucks, which were repatriated for safety reasons.

The BMA and SARS will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure smooth and secure border operations, with the goal of facilitating trade and travel in a safe manner. However, travelers are urged to remain cautious and stay informed of any updates when planning trips to Mozambique. The BMA has stated that further engagements with the Mozambican government will take place to determine the next steps for the border’s full reopening.

The post Lebombo border open for cargo after BMA meets with Mozambican government appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

This as the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has received reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambican side of the port in post-election violence.

“Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice. This decision was made to ensure the safety of all cross-border transporters, travellers, traders and officials operating at the port.

“The BMA is coordinating closely with Mozambican authorities and South African law enforcement agencies to monitor the situation and work towards reopening the port as soon as it is safe to do so,” said the BMA in a statement on Tuesday night.

The Commissioner advised all stakeholders to suspend travel through the Lebombo port until further notice.

“Alternative routes to Mozambique must be used where feasible at the moment until the situation has stabilised,” Masiapato said.

He said South African officials are on the ground providing assistance to seven officials from the Mozambican side who have requested refuge on the South African side for safety and protection.

“The BMA and its counterparts are working urgently to address the situation, and we are appreciating the cooperation we are receiving at the moment,” he said.

The BMA and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will continue to provide updates through official channels and notify stakeholders as soon as the port is deemed safe for reopening.

Violent protests erupted in Maputo after Mozambique’s election results were announced on 24 October. Ruling party Frelimo was re-elected, with its candidate Daniel Chapo obtaining 71% of the vote, but this is disputed by the opposition.

Protests spread to the border on Tuesday evening, with protestors storming the port of entry, setting alight buildings, including security guard houses, as well as vehicles belonging to officials.

The opposition has called for a nationwide protest on Thursday 7 November. At least a dozen people have been killed by security forces, who have been using tear gas and live ammunition.

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