Xenophobia: Malawi Repatriates 645 Nationals From South Africa

Malawi has repatriated 645 of its nationals from South Africa as part of a voluntary evacuation effort amid rising fears of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant unrest targeting foreign nationals, particularly African migrants.

According to the Malawian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, eight buses carrying the nationals departed from Durban on Monday.

The group had been sheltering at Sherwood Hall (also referred to as Sherwood Town Hall or Sherwood Park) in Sydenham, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, after fleeing threats and intimidation.

The repatriates, many of them women and children, are expected to arrive in Malawi via the Mwanza Border Post around June 17 before undergoing further processing at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

This latest convoy follows an earlier batch of around 150 Malawians repatriated from the Western Cape province in early June.

Reports indicate that thousands more Malawians with estimates ranging from 6,000 to over 10,000 at the Durban site alone — remain displaced and are seeking assistance to return home.

South African authorities have been cooperating with the Malawian government, providing additional buses to support the process.

The situation stems from heightened anti-foreigner sentiments in parts of South Africa, fuelled by economic pressures, unemployment and vigilante groups issuing deadlines such as June 30 for undocumented migrants to leave.

Several African countries, including Nigeria , Mozambique, Ghana and Malawi, have initiated or supported repatriation efforts in response.