Malawi Receives 55 Buses to Begin Repatriation of Citizens from South Africa
The Malawian government says it has received 55 buses through donor support to assist in the repatriation of its citizens currently in South Africa, with eight buses already arriving in Blantyre on Wednesday evening as the first phase gets underway.
The development follows diplomatic engagement between President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and President Cyril Ramaphosa, who reportedly held discussions on the return of an estimated 10,000 Malawians currently accommodated at Sherwood Town Hall in KwaZulu-Natal.
The repatriation process comes amid heightened tensions in Durban earlier this week, when police moved to enforce immigration procedures involving undocumented foreign nationals. The situation was later stabilised through coordinated intervention by the eThekwini Municipality, the Department of Home Affairs, and SAPS.
Authorities have since implemented a dual-shelter system to manage overcrowding, with Sherwood Town Hall accommodating women, children, and families, while a separate drive-in facility has been designated for single men.
The drive-in site will operate under a 14-day limit to fast-track processing and facilitate orderly repatriation to countries of origin.
Officials say the additional transport capacity is aimed at ensuring a structured and coordinated return process as verification and documentation efforts continue.
