Malawi Scrambles To Repatriate 10,000 Citizens Fleeing Anti-Immigrant Violence In South Africa

The Malawian government has launched an emergency repatriation programme for an estimated 10,000 citizens stranded in South Africa following a wave of attacks and intimidation targeting foreign nationals.

In a statement issued on 15 June 2026, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said the operation is already underway, with the first group of returnees having arrived safely in Malawi on 9 June. Others are currently making their way home.

DoDMA Commissioner Wilson Moleni said the initiative is being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malawi’s High Commission in Pretoria after authorities received a sharp increase in distress calls from Malawians living across South Africa. By 13 June, the number of citizens seeking assistance had risen to around 10,000.

To facilitate the safe and orderly return of those affected, the government has deployed a team to South Africa to register and verify citizens. Emergency travel documents are also being issued to people who have lost their identification papers or do not possess valid travel documents.

Back in Malawi, authorities have converted Kamuzu Stadium into a reception and processing centre for returnees. Those arriving are being provided with temporary accommodation, food, protection services, psychosocial support and transport to their home districts.

Moleni said transport operators had also been engaged to assist in moving vulnerable Malawians from shelters and affected communities in South Africa to designated departure points.

While reaffirming the government’s commitment to bringing home every Malawian who wishes to return, Moleni warned that the scale of the operation has placed enormous pressure on available resources and logistics.

He appealed to development partners, businesses, faith-based organisations, transport providers and individual well-wishers to assist with funding, transport and humanitarian supplies.

Moleni assured the public that all donations and support would be managed transparently and used solely for repatriation efforts and assistance to returning citizens.

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