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Malawians return home as tensions rise in South Africa
Malawi received 171 of its nationals on Tuesday following their repatriation from South Africa, where anti-foreigner sentiment has escalated into violence in recent weeks. The group, which included men, women, and children, arrived as part of a voluntary return initiative organized by Lilongwe.
Background to the repatriation
The returnees had sought shelter in temporary camps in Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province, after reports of door-to-door intimidation and the deaths of two Mozambicans in the area. Malawi's government initially announced their arrival for Monday but later confirmed the group landed on Tuesday.
Officials provided a breakdown of the returnees: 115 men, 43 women, and 13 children. Images shared by Malawi's government on social media showed long queues of people waiting in an empty stadium, likely for registration.
Regional response to xenophobic tensions
Malawi is not alone in repatriating its citizens. Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have also arranged returns for nationals affected by the unrest. Ghana recently flew nearly 300 citizens home from Johannesburg, while Zimbabwe facilitated the return of 74 people from Mossel Bay on Sunday. Some Zimbabwean families with young children reported fleeing the Western Cape due to safety concerns.
Nigeria postponed its first evacuation flight for 270 citizens from Monday to Wednesday, citing logistical issues. Authorities have screened over 500 Nigerians for return, with President Bola Tinubu approving five evacuation flights in total.
South Africa's crackdown on illegal migration
Anti-migrant groups in South Africa have set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. In a national address on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled new measures to curb illegal migration, including faster deportations. However, he condemned xenophobia, stating there was "no space" for intolerance in South Africa.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza revealed that Pretoria is considering asking receiving countries to cover the costs of deportations. The move aims to offset expenses as authorities accelerate removals of undocumented migrants.
Diplomatic tensions over xenophobia claims
South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola accused Ghana's counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of spreading misinformation about xenophobia. Lamola disputed Ablakwa's claims that two Nigerians and five Mozambicans had died in separate attacks, calling the allegations "deeply disappointing."
"We have no information of Ghanaians being treated in South African hospitals after attacks," Lamola said in response to Ablakwa's interview with Joy News.
Ablakwa had also called on the African Union to investigate the situation and urged South Africa to compensate repatriated Ghanaians for lost property. The diplomatic spat highlights growing regional unease over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
