150 Malawians Repatriated from South Africa After Western Cape Violence
A convoy carrying 150 Malawian nationals is expected to arrive in Malawi on Monday, completing a repatriation effort from South Africa. This action follows violence in South Africa's Western Cape, where reports emerged of door-to-door intimidation and the deaths of two Mozambicans in Mossel Bay last week.
Lilongwe officials stated that the Malawians were among numerous foreign nationals who had sought refuge in temporary camps in Mossel Bay.
Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have also organised repatriation efforts for their citizens, citing concerns over anti-migrant sentiment. Anti-migrant groups in South Africa have demanded that undocumented migrants depart the country by a 30 June deadline.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, announcing new measures to tackle illegal migration. He simultaneously cautioned citizens against vigilantism, asserting that there was "no space for xenophobia, racism, sexism, Afrophobia or any other forms of intolerance" within the country.
State-run media in Zimbabwe reported that 74 Zimbabweans arrived home on Sunday after being driven from Mossel Bay in transport arranged by Zimbabwean authorities. At the end of May, Ghana facilitated a repatriation flight for nearly 300 citizens from Johannesburg, with approximately 680 more arriving in Accra over the past weekend.
Nigeria, however, has postponed its initial evacuation flight for 270 citizens, originally scheduled for Monday, until Wednesday due to "unforeseen logistical considerations," according to foreign affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. Over 500 Nigerians have been screened for return, with President Bola Tinubu approving five evacuation flights as authorities continue processing applicants.
