Yasmin Bilal
South African and Malawian officials are continuing coordinated efforts to manage the voluntary repatriation of Malawian nationals. Thousands have already returned, and processing is ongoing across several provinces.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that more than 7,000 undocumented Malawian nationals have been repatriated from KwaZulu-Natal. He said the process is continuing at scale.
“At the Drive-In temporary repatriation facility in KwaZulu-Natal, over 7,000 foreign nationals have already been repatriated using 54 buses,” Schreiber said.
“We are now processing up to 2,000 people per day,” he said.
Schreiber added that in Gauteng, the Department of Home Affairs intervened to complete the repatriation of 476 Malawian citizens. These individuals were left stranded by operators not authorised by the South African Government.
“I have engaged with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal,” Schreiber said. “Plans are being developed to provide a temporary facility in the province.”
Schreiber said the department remains committed to enforcing immigration law in a humane and orderly manner. He warned against any incitement or violence during the process.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said the Malawian government must take full responsibility for its citizens. He cited challenges linked to limited transport capacity supporting the repatriation process.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr George Chaponda has assured repatriated citizens that they are safe, protected and free.
Speaking at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Chaponda encouraged returnees to rebuild their lives using skills gained while working abroad.
Commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs Wilson Moleni said 2,218 people have returned home. He added that 514 are on their way, while about 15,000 remain awaiting repatriation.
The process continues under coordinated arrangements between relevant departments, with a focus on documentation, compliance and orderly returns.
About 500 Malawian nationals remain accommodated at a church facility in Gauteng. They are awaiting final administrative processing before voluntary return. They were relocated from Cape Town under an organised arrangement facilitated through the Malawian Embassy.
Law enforcement remains deployed in affected areas to maintain order and stability.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that the government has set aside about R600 million ahead of nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests planned for 30 June.
He said large numbers of police and security personnel will be deployed across all provinces. The aim is to maintain public order while protecting the constitutional right to protest.
“I can tell you that it is going to cost the South African Police Service over R600 million. That is what it costs when there are efforts to destabilise the country.”Cachalia said.