South African authorities have processed more than 15,000 Malawian nationals for repatriation ahead of planned nationwide anti-immigration marches scheduled for next week, amid growing fears that the demonstrations could trigger fresh xenophobic violence.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi disclosed on Friday that 15,162 Malawians had already completed the verification process for deportation and repatriation, while thousands more remain in temporary camps awaiting clearance.
“To date, a total of 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation, and more are still undergoing the verification process,” Kubayi said.
She noted that living conditions in parts of KwaZulu-Natal Province, where many Malawians have gathered for weeks, had become “untenable.”
The repatriation exercise comes as citizen-led groups push for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa before an unofficial June 30 deadline, while calling for nationwide protests that have heightened concerns over violence targeting migrants.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, several African countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have begun facilitating voluntary repatriation for their citizens.
The Border Management Authority said it processed 8,230 foreign nationals for repatriation through the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe between June 12 and June 24.
According to the agency, 6,709 Malawians were transported in 112 buses, while 1,521 Zimbabweans travelled in 26 buses.
“This brings the total number of repatriated foreign nationals processed at Beitbridge only during this period to 8,230 persons,” the authority said.
South Africa has witnessed weeks of tension marked by attacks on foreign nationals, looting of businesses and violent protests that have left several people dead.
Kubayi said six Mozambican nationals lost their lives during the unrest. According to her, two were killed during the violence, three died in a road accident and another was killed during an altercation at an entertainment venue. She added that all six had been repatriated.
The minister also confirmed the death of a Malawian national during a protest in Pietermaritzburg, noting that the victim’s body had yet to be returned home.
Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola condemned groups taking the law into their own hands.
He described as “problematic” reports of individuals “move from house to house enforcing the law.”
The latest tensions come just months before South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for November 4.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years, with one of the deadliest incidents occurring in 2008 when 62 people were killed during nationwide attacks on foreign nationals.
