South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola (right), and Mozambique's Minister of Interior, Pascoal Ronda (left), addressed the media on Wednesday during the joint inter-ministerial meeting in Malelane, Mpumalanga. (X/@DIRCO_ZA)
•    After a high-powered meeting on Wednesday, the Mozambique government said there would be no further disruption to the Maputo trade corridor.
•    But alongside South Africa, it is making alternative plans too.
•    The two governments agreed to better communication and security cooperation, but won't talk about the details.

South Africa on Wenesday fielded four Cabinet ministers for a bilateral meeting with Mozambique as companies and other countries prepare for fresh protests in that country next week.

The countries agreed, according to a carefully worded joint statement, to "endeavour to protect and secure the infrastructure for trade facilitation and continued collaboration to ensure minimum disruption".
But their emphasis appeared to be somewhat different, judging by a brief question-and-answer session.
There will be "no disruptions in coming days", said Mozambique's interior minister, Pascoal Ronda, vowing that the Maputo Corridor would remain open.

But South Africa's international relations minister, Ronald Lamola, acknowledged that SA's national security is at risk, and said the government was looking into ways to mitigate risks, including the disruption of the flow of petroleum products via that corridor and gas via the Mozambique-Secunda pipeline.

Lamola said security forces had agreed to joint planning and to "respond to each other's challenges" throughout the festive season, but would not provide details citing security concerns.

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has promised fresh protests if an official announcement on the 9 October election expected next week does not see him declared the winner.
Ronda said his government is continuing efforts to speak to Mondlane directly and find solutions to "problems" around the election.
Lamola said South Africa would await the outcome of Mozambique's formal processes, and in the meantime called for calm to allow those to proceed.

The joint statement by South Africa and Mozambique warn of "great danger of food and energy insecurity" should protests continue, and noted the significant economic impact they have already had on both countries.