Written by: Badr Ahmed

The Republic of South Africa has recently witnessed a remarkable development in the issue of irregular migration, with the implementation of mass repatriation operations for thousands of citizens from the Republic of Malawi, amid escalating tensions related to the foreign presence in a number of cities, most notably Johannesburg and Durban.

Stella Ndaw, the High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa, reported that the total number of Malawian citizens who have been repatriated so far is approximately 3,509. She explained that the operation included the direct arrival of 1,549 people in Malawi, along with 1,260 others on their way back, in addition to 700 people who were deported in an organized procedure coordinated between the two sides, while part of the returnees were transported with the assistance of the South African government.

More than 3,500 Malawian citizens deported from South Africa

In an effort to expedite repatriation, South African authorities have begun establishing a second temporary deportation center to address the growing number of citizens who wish to return or are subject to repatriation orders. This is intended to alleviate pressure on existing facilities, which have become overcrowded in recent weeks, particularly due to the presence of large numbers of women and children, in addition to thousands of men.

In Durban, specifically in the Sherwood area, thousands of Malawian citizens are still awaiting repatriation procedures, with an estimated 10,000 people living in temporary accommodations for over a week. Local reports describe the situation there as dire, with overcrowding and inadequate basic services.

For their part, South African officials explained that deportations require legal procedures, including court appearances due to illegal residency, which contributes to the slow pace of implementation. Authorities also pointed to limited transportation, particularly buses designated for returning citizens, as a major logistical challenge, while the Malawian government called for additional support to facilitate the return of its citizens.

These developments come in a broader regional context of escalating tensions related to irregular migration within some African countries, where several countries, including Malawi, have begun coordinating with South Africa to facilitate the return of their citizens who have expressed concerns about violence or deteriorating living conditions.

Observers confirm that these operations reflect the growing challenges facing countries in managing the migration issue, between legal, security and humanitarian considerations, in light of increasing social pressures within major cities in South Africa.