Malawi continues a massive voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa driven by rising anti-immigrant tensions, utilizing 55 buses. PATIENCE LONGWE and ROY HOWA of Malawi News Agency report
Malawi has repatriated about 30,000 citizens from South Africa following a wave of anti-foreigner xenophobia violence that erupted in late April this year.
Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda told Malawi Parliament this week that there was a need for additional resources to complete the exercise.
Presenting a ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday, Chaponda said the violence has left thousands of Malawians displaced, unemployed and in urgent need of assistance.
He explained the violence has mostly affected Malawians employed in agriculture, construction and the retail sector.
According to Chaponda, many of the affected migrants were unable to return home on their own because they either had expired travel documents or lacked legal documentation.
CHAPONDA - Tragically 23 died in road accidents
Chaponda also disclosed that the repatriation exercise was overshadowed by two fatal road accidents that claimed the lives of 23 Malawians.
He said 15 Malawians died in a road accident at Mutoko in Zimbabwe in May, while another eight lost their lives in a separate crash near Louis Trichardt in South Africa on May 7.
“The government facilitated the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased and provided support to the bereaved families. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) also activated its Emergency Response Plan and deployed a task force to support Malawi's diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg,” he said.
He said diplomatic engagements with the South African government resulted in a major breakthrough on June 19, when authorities agreed to replace deportation procedures with a voluntary repatriation arrangement.
“Under the new arrangement, returnees are only required to submit fingerprints and complete an exit form before travelling. South Africa has provided buses for transportation, while Malawi deployed 55 buses from Mwanza Border to facilitate the exercise.
The minister also commended the Government of Mozambique for hosting more than 700 Malawians who crossed into the country through informal routes while fleeing the violence.
He said Parliament needed to approve additional resources and personnel for Malawi's diplomatic missions and Mwanza Border to enable government to complete the repatriation exercise.
“We remain committed to ensuring that every Malawian who wishes to return home do so safely, with dignity and the necessary support for reintegration,” he said