JUST IN: More than 3000 Malawian nationals deported in South Africa

More than 3,500 Malawian nationals have been repatriated from South Africa following a wave of anti-illegal immigration protests that swept through Johannesburg and other parts of the country earlier this year. The demonstrations heightened tensions between local residents and foreign nationals, prompting many migrants to return home.

Malawi’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Stella Ndau, disclosed that 3,509 Malawians have so far been returned to their country through a combination of organised repatriation efforts and deportations.

“Since the repatriation exercise began, 1,549 people have already arrived in Malawi, while about 1,260 are currently en route. In addition, 700 Malawians have been deported with support from the South African government, bringing the total number repatriated to 3,509,” she said.

To manage the growing number of returnees, South African authorities on Thursday began constructing a second temporary deportation centre. The facility is intended to ease overcrowding at existing sites, where women and children have been sharing limited space with thousands of men awaiting repatriation.

Meanwhile, large numbers of Malawian nationals continue to gather at the main deportation centre in Sherwood, Durban. An estimated 10,000 people have been camping at the site for more than a week as they wait to be transported back to Malawi.

One of the migrants, Pearson Kaunda, who has lived in South Africa for over a decade, described the situation as increasingly difficult.

“Things are very bad in South Africa at the moment. We have no choice but to return home because living here has become extremely challenging,” he said.

Authorities from both Malawi and South Africa have been working together in recent weeks to coordinate the return of Malawian nationals who say they are leaving due to growing anti-migrant sentiment and fears of violence.

South African officials, however, noted that the deportation process has been complicated by legal requirements that mandate court appearances for individuals found to be residing in the country illegally. They also cited a shortage of buses provided by the Malawian government as a major factor slowing the repatriation exercise.

The Malawian government has reportedly appealed for donations to support transportation efforts for returning citizens.

Malawi joins at least two other African countries that have recently organised the return of their nationals from South Africa amid rising public frustration over illegal immigration and growing concerns among foreign nationals about potential attacks.