150 Malawians Return Home from South Africa
Around 150 Malawian nationals have returned home by road from South Africa. Authorities confirmed their arrival is expected on Monday. The group left after growing safety concerns linked to recent unrest in the Western Cape.
Violence and Rising Fear in Western Cape
Tensions increased after reports of intimidation campaigns in parts of the Western Cape. Local sources also reported the deaths of two Mozambican nationals in Mossel Bay. These incidents triggered fear among foreign communities.
Many migrants, including Malawians, stayed in temporary shelters before leaving the area. They sought protection as the situation became unstable.
Regional Repatriation Efforts Begin
Several African countries have started bringing their citizens back. Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe arranged transport or flights for their nationals after similar concerns.
Zimbabwe already sent 74 citizens home from Mossel Bay. Ghana also organized repatriation flights for hundreds of its nationals, with more arrivals reported over the weekend.
Political Response in South Africa
South African leadership addressed the growing tension. The president urged calm and warned against taking the law into personal hands. He emphasized that discrimination and xenophobia have no place in the country.
At the same time, his government announced stronger action against undocumented migration. Officials said they plan stricter enforcement measures to manage border control and immigration issues.
Dispute Over Reported Violence
South African and Ghanaian officials exchanged differing views over the scale of violence. Ghana’s foreign minister raised concerns about attacks on foreign nationals and called for an African Union review.
South African officials rejected several claims, including reports of multiple migrant deaths and hospitalizations. They stated they had no records confirming those specific incidents.
Concerns Over Property and Return Conditions
Some repatriated citizens expressed concern about leaving their belongings behind during evacuation. Ghanaian officials also raised the issue of compensation for affected nationals who returned under urgent conditions.
