Malawi repatriation programme closes after 56,723 nationals return home from South Africa

Malawi’s voluntary repatriation programme for citizens affected by violence in South Africa has concluded, with over 56,700 Malawians successfully returning home. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) announced that the final buses will depart from the Malawi Consulate in Johannesburg and the High Commission in Pretoria on Wednesday. The reception centre in Mwanza will be decommissioned following the programme's end.

The initiative assisted 56,723 Malawian nationals, consisting of 38,866 men and 17,857 women. DoDMA emphasized that the closure of the government-funded programme does not negate consular support for Malawians still intending to return. Those wishing to leave South Africa will now need to arrange their travel independently, while the Malawi High Commission in Pretoria and the Malawi Consulate in Johannesburg will continue offering services, including emergency travel documents.

The repatriation operation was prompted by escalating xenophobia against migrants in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where many Malawians sought refuge due to fears of violence. Conditions at the Sherwood reception centre deteriorated rapidly as the influx of returnees overwhelmed sanitation, food supplies, and processing capacity. One Malawian man interviewed by IOL described living at the site for two years, stating he had not bathed in seven days due to overcrowding and poor sanitation.

The crisis highlighted the distinction between voluntary repatriation and deportation under South African law. On June 17, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba intervened to expedite the processing of undocumented Malawians, engaging government stakeholders to increase capacity. Over 10,000 undocumented foreigners were awaiting processing at the time.

Deportation, however, requires individual legal procedures, including identity verification, legal documentation, and court appearances to ensure compliance with due process and constitutional rights.

The repatriation programme incurred a human cost, with seven deaths recorded during the operation. DoDMA expressed condolences to the families of those who perished.