Xenophobia: South Africa to repatriate over 15,000 Malawians ahead of protests

South Africa is expediting the processing of over 15,000 Malawian nationals for deportation and repatriation as the country braces for nationwide anti-immigration marches scheduled for June 30. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that these measures are being taken due to growing fears that the marches could escalate into xenophobic violence.

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To date, a total of 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation, and more are still undergoing the verification process.

Living conditions for Malawians gathered in parts of KwaZulu-Natal province have become "untenable," according to the minister. The recent spate of looting and violence targeting foreigners has prompted several neighboring countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to offer voluntary repatriation options for their citizens.

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Living conditions in parts of southeastern KwaZulu-Natal province, where Malawians had gathered for weeks, had become “untenable”.

Official figures indicate that between June 12 and June 24, South Africa's Border Management Authority processed 8,200 foreign nationals for repatriation at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe. This group included 6,709 Malawians and 1,521 Zimbabweans.

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This brings the total number of repatriated foreign nationals processed at Beitbridge only during this period to 8,230 persons.

The country has been on edge following weeks of sometimes violent unrest targeting undocumented foreign nationals. Official sources report at least three deaths, with Mozambican authorities citing five fatalities among their nationals. The latest tensions precede local government elections scheduled for November 4, and recall the deadly xenophobic riots of 2008, which resulted in 62 deaths.

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Concerns had been raised over groups that “move from house to house enforcing the law”, describing it as “problematic”.