More than 1,000 Malawian nationals who have been camping at a site in Durban while awaiting transport home have now been processed for repatriation.
The Malawi Embassy has arranged buses to transport the migrants back to Malawi, following weeks of uncertainty at the Sherwood site, where thousands had gathered in the hope of returning home.
Officials said around 1,140 people have so far been verified as part of the repatriation programme. Women and children are being given priority when boarding the buses.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said the operation was being carried out in an orderly and humane manner, with due regard for the dignity, rights and welfare of those involved.
“I am happy that we are working hand in hand with other countries to assist our brothers and sisters, so that they do not break the law. And when they want to come back, they’ll have to get permits,” Ntuli said.
“We are staying with so many who are documented. We don’t have a problem; we understand that we have South Africans in other countries, and we believe that, as South Africans, we are a country for everyone. Still, being in a foreign country, you must have documentation,” the premier added.
A Malawian national, whose wife and child were among those departing, said he was delighted to see them leaving for home.
“We are very happy. This is the beginning of the journey. We know that the women and children will go first,” he said.
His wife said she could not wait to go home, adding that she was relieved and looking forward to reuniting with her family back in Malawi.
“Today I am very, very happy because I am going home. I have suffered for two weeks. Today I am happy that I am going to see my family,” she said.
“It is winter, and my baby was getting sick. I am happy that I am going home and I can get medical services in our country, because here, they said we cannot go to the hospital because we are foreigners. Now I am free.”
Meanwhile, about 980 Malawian nationals were processed at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp. Fourteen buses were deployed on Thursday night to transport the group.
Malawian nationals are being repatriated from Durban after thousands fled their homes following a wave of anti-foreigner threats and later opted to return voluntarily.
More than 1,000 Malawians initially left the Burnwood informal settlement after armed South African nationals ordered them to leave. This was followed by a larger group of between 4,000 and 7,000 people who gathered at Sherwood Hall in Durban from different parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The group says anti-illegal immigration activists had been moving through suburbs, businesses and informal settlements, instructing undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by 30 June.
Many of those now camped at Sherwood Hall say they have been there for almost a month, having first slept in an open field before relocating to the current site. Several said they left their belongings behind and no longer felt safe, prompting them to seek assistance to return to Malawi.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, working with Malawian officials, is verifying identities and issuing travel documents to facilitate the return process. Women and children are being prioritised for travel.
More: eNCA
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