Malawi repatriating its nationals from South Africa | Malawi Nyasa Times
Malawi government has said it has begun the “voluntary repatriation” of its citizens, in the wake of ongoing xenophobic violence in South Africa that authorities say has claimed dozens of lives, displaced thousands including Malawians.
Hundreds of people from Malawi, Burundi, Zimbabwe and Congo have reportedly fled their homes since xenophobic attacks and looting erupted two weeks ago.
The violence began shortly after Goodwill Zwelithini, the reigning King of the Zulu nation, publicly said that immigrants should pack their bags and leave the country. Similar comments were also made by South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma’s son, Edward.
Malawi government spokesman Kondwani Nankhumwa said the government has been working to repatriate those who had immigrated to the country.
He said Lilongwe is mobilising resources to repatriate atleast 400 Malawians rendered destitute and some of them injured.
“We are repatriating out citizen to come back home safely,” Nankhumwa, who is Information Minister said.
“The situation is really tense as about 360 Malawians are stranded in South Africa following xenophobic attacks there,” Information Minister said.
He said the Malawians targeted had “lost everything”, including their passports.
Nankhumwa said:”Logistically our embassy (Malawi High Commission in South Africa)is in touch with the South African government to facilitate processing of temporary travel documents for our countrymen and women who have lost their passports. Wew hope this process will be done this week”
The minister said Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation officials are on the ground to bring back some people by the end of this week
He said government will also carry a civic education Malawians who are trekking to South Africa for economic migration to stop until the situation normalises.
The violence has damaged South Africa’s reputation in Malawi as a haven for foreigners in search of employment and wealth.
Malawian law university lecturer Sunduzwayo Madise said Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and African Union leaders should “demand an emergency meeting” with South Africa President Jacob Zuma to “stop these senseless and savagely attacks on foreigners.”
“If the South Africans don’t want other Africans in their country; let’s tear up the SADC Treaty for a start; and sanction their goods, services and businesses. Let us see if an implosion will not result as the fever catches the global market,” Madise wrote on his Facebook Timeline.
Nankhumwa has since promised government will assist those who needed to be evacuated back to Malawi.
Malawians are being housed in tents on a sports field waiting to be repatriated back home in buses.
Meanwhile, some Malawians refuse to leave South Africa, as they would rather stay in hiding than face poverty and hunger in their own country.
Violence against African immigrants in South Africa is common, with impoverished locals accusing foreigners of taking their jobs and business.
The government has condemned the violence, with President Jacob Zuma sending a team of officials to assess the situation.
“We reiterate that there can be no justification for attacking foreign nationals,” Zuma said on Sunday.
Zuma said not all foreigners in South Africa were in the country illegally and many contributed to the economy with their skills.
17 Replies to “Malawi Repatriates Its Nationals From Afrophobic South Africa”
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Kuno kumba musadzoka nokuti munozovhotera pasipo. We want these few people vatinavo kuno who are easy to intimidate. Ne xhenophobia you are developing a thick skin saka zvinozotiomera. We want to rule kusvika madonki amera nyanga.
Kuno kumba musadzoka nokuti munozovhotera pasipo. We want these few people vatinavo kuno who are easy to intimidate. Ne xhenophobia you are developing a thick skin saka zvinozotiomera. We want to rule kusvika madonki amera nyanga.
Kuno kumba musadzoka nokuti munozovhotera pasipo. We want these few people vatinavo kuno who are easy to intimidate. Ne xhenophobia you are developing a thick skin saka zvinozotiomera. We want to rule kusvika madonki amera nyanga.
Malawi may be poor than zimbabwe but they putting their people first with the little they have. what has Zim done apart from taking Grace round the world for treatment and exposing their ZANU dirty pants, throwing birthday parties and buying cars in dead roads. I m so proud but sad to be a zimbabawean.
Malawi may be poor than zimbabwe but they putting their people first with the little they have. what has Zim done apart from taking Grace round the world for treatment and exposing their ZANU dirty pants, throwing birthday parties and buying cars in dead roads. I m so proud but sad to be a zimbabawean.
You must be joking if you think Zimbabwe’s economy is worse than Malawi.Things in Zim look bad due to the level of ‘prosperity’ that we used to enjoy a few years back.If you have traveled to many African countries you will understand how bad an economy can be.We are still far much better than an average African country.
You must be joking if you think Zimbabwe’s economy is worse than Malawi.Things in Zim look bad due to the level of ‘prosperity’ that we used to enjoy a few years back.If you have traveled to many African countries you will understand how bad an economy can be.We are still far much better than an average African country.
Why excluding Congolese,Nigerians,Mozambicans Zambians and Tanzanians…all these people are housed in Tents in Isiphongo and Umlazi…almost the entire Africans are housed there…..for differents Nations………..
Why excluding Congolese,Nigerians,Mozambicans Zambians and Tanzanians…all these people are housed in Tents in Isiphongo and Umlazi…almost the entire Africans are housed there…..for differents Nations………..
kutsva dumbu nemusana, uku bob uku zinofobia! wamama wamama akomana
kutsva dumbu nemusana, uku bob uku zinofobia! wamama wamama akomana
kwabva Mugabe kwose ma thousand kwete ma one.
kwabva Mugabe kwose ma thousand kwete ma one.
When was the last time you were in Malawi? A 1000 years ago?
When was the last time you were in Malawi? A 1000 years ago?
Malawians are luckier than the Zimbabweans, their government can afford to pay for their repatriation and the Malawi economy is not is a mess Zimbabweans are not so lucky on both accounts!
Malawians are luckier than the Zimbabweans, their government can afford to pay for their repatriation and the Malawi economy is not is a mess Zimbabweans are not so lucky on both accounts!