By Isaac Salima:
Some South Africa-based Malawians have started mobilising resources to support their own repatriation.
The development comes at a time the country’s citizens, and other foreign nationals, are being subjected to violent attacks on immigrants due to the resurgence of xenophobia in the Rainbow Nation.
In an interview Tuesday, Johannesburg-based Malawian Letisha Banda said the situation was dire.
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“They are telling us that come 30th June [2026], they do not want to see a foreigner in South Africa. So, we have started mobilising resources by forming WhatsApp groups to assist those who cannot manage to support their return to Malawi,” Banda, who is a member of the Association of Malawians in Johannesburg, said.
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Banda added that they had not gotten any communication of support from the Malawi Government.
“The Malawian Embassy here only offered to assist those who wanted their passports and other travel documents processed,” she said.
Among those affected are Malawians who stay in the Central Business District of Durban, Johannesburg and Randburg.
Banda said they have, so far, raised R17, 870 (about K1.9 million) for the cause.
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And Victor Gondwe from Durban said that they had been living in fear.
“You are not sure whether you will come back alive when you are leaving home for arrands. We just go to work because if we do not report for work, we will be fired. I wish the government would come in and support us,” he said.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba said processes to repatriate the people were underway and that they would update the public once they were done with the process.
Some weeks ago, 200- plus Malawians expressed interest in returning home and the government committed to support their repatriation.
