MAPUTO – More than 1,500 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Tuesday, leaving 33 dead, as violent protests over disputed October elections spread across the southern African nation. Police have recaptured only 150 prisoners so far.

Mozambique’s Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael warned of an imminent surge in crime. “We expect a dizzying increase of crime in Maputo in the next 40 to 48 hours,” he said at an emergency press briefing.

The breakout comes as demonstrators challenge the Constitutional Council’s recent validation of ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo’s election victory. The council revised Chapo’s winning margin from 70 to 65 percent.

The crisis has disrupted operations at the critical Lebombo border crossing between South Africa and Mozambique. Mineral shipments remain stranded as heavy trucks pile up on the South African side.

“If we do not have peace in Mozambique, what is going to happen to South Africa’s economy will be very dire,” said Manuel Lopes de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane and opposition Renamo party member, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika on December 25 (1500 GMT).

The Maputo port serves as a vital gateway for South African mineral exports. Any disruption threatens economic stability across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Araújo warned of a potential refugee crisis. “People can just cross that line there. I know South Africa tried to put a wall and so on, but that will be destroyed in minutes when people really want to move,” he said.

The unrest follows October 9 elections that extended the Frelimo party’s 49-year control of Mozambique. Violent protests erupted in multiple cities as opposition supporters rejected the results.

Rafael described the escaped prisoners as “specialists in all types of crimes” and warned residents to expect increased robberies, assaults, rapes, car theft, armed robberies, and kidnappings.