South Africa repatriates over 15,000 Malawians amid xenophobia fears

Citizen-led groups have set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave, raising fears of renewed xenophobic violence. Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation. Living conditions for Malawians in KwaZulu-Natal province had become "untenable."

Growing security concerns, including looted businesses and targeted foreigners, have led several countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to offer voluntary repatriations for their citizens. The Border Management Authority processed 8,200 foreign nationals for repatriation at the Beitbridge border post between June 12 and 24, including 6,709 Malawian nationals and 1,521 Zimbabwean nationals. Weeks of xenophobic unrest have resulted in at least three deaths according to official sources, while Mozambican authorities reported five deaths among their nationals.

A Malawian national was also killed during a march in Pietermaritzburg. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern over groups "enforcing the law" by moving from house to house. These tensions precede local government elections scheduled for November 4.

Past violence targeting undocumente