According to the ministry, the affected citizens had been living in temporary camps after being displaced in Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province.
The Government of Malawi has announced the commencement of a voluntary repatriation exercise for its nationals displaced in South Africa, with the first two buses carrying 150 Malawians departing Western Cape Province on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation would like to inform the public that the first 2 buses carrying 150 Malawian Nationals under the Voluntary Repatriation Exercise, departed Western Cape Province, in South Africa, on Saturday, 6th June, 2026.”
According to the ministry, the affected citizens had been living in temporary camps after being displaced in Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province.
“The 150 Malawians are among a number of foreign nationals that were displaced and sought refuge in temporary camps in Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province,” the statement said.
The government explained that the evacuation exercise was coordinated through a special intervention team deployed to South Africa.
“The evacuation and voluntary repatriation of the nationals was facilitated by a multidisciplinary Malawi Task Team which had been dispatched to Western Cape Province under the coordination of the Malawi High Commission in South Africa,” it added.
The ministry further disclosed that the returnees are travelling by road through neighbouring countries before arriving home.
“The Nationals will travel by road transiting through the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Mozambique and are expected to arrive in the country through Mwanza Border Post on Monday, 8th June, 2026,” it stated.
On arrival, the returnees are expected to undergo processing before being sent to their respective communities.
“Thereafter, they will proceed to Kamuzu Stadium, in Blantyre, where they will be processed before travelling to their respective local destinations.”
Reassuring citizens, the ministry restated its commitment to their welfare and continued support throughout the process.
“The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to ensuring safety and well-being of all affected Malawians and readiness to provide the necessary transit and consular support in coordination with all relevant Government Ministries, Agencies and Departments.”
This comes amid a new wave of xenophobic violence that has erupted in South Africa, with vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals, specifically African immigrants, and setting a June 30, 2026 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave.
The South African government has stressed that this deadline is not official, but fear has spread among migrant communities, leading to repatriations by countries like Mozambique and Ghana.
Source: Sahara Reporters
