WATCH | Thousands of Malawians gather in Durban to leave SA
The Malawians are hoping for a safe journey home following the intensification of the calls for foreign nationals to leave the county.
With bags packed and uncertainty hanging over their futures, thousands of Malawian nationals have gathered at Sherwood Park in Durban, preparing to leave South Africa amid growing fears for their safety.
Among them is Daniel Banda, who stood with his luggage at his feet on Monday, waiting for his turn to be processed for repatriation as the number of people at the site continues to swell.
The mass gathering — confirmed by Home Affairs provincial manager Cyril Mncwabe to consist solely of Malawians — comes as calls intensify for foreign nationals to leave the country, ahead of a planned anti-illegal immigrants march on June 30.
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On Monday afternoon, at least two minibus taxis arrived at Sherwood Park carrying more Malawians and their belongings.
Some climbed out clutching bags filled with their remaining possessions, while others joined the long queues where Home Affairs immigration officials were processing foreign nationals before their journey.
Banda, who has lived in the country for six years, told The Witness that the situation in the informal settlement where he lived had become increasingly unsettling.
“For me it’s no longer about having papers or not having papers. It’s about me getting home safe,” he said.
Banda said he came to South Africa in search of opportunities that were scarce back home.
“The living conditions in Malawi are not good. I came here hoping to make a living for my family. I’m a bricklayer, so I’ve been doing jobs whenever they became available.”
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He said that whenever work came his way, he tried to create opportunities for others too.
“In my trade, I employed local people whenever building jobs became available.”
Nearby, Monica Essaya sat waiting for news of when she would be able to board a bus. Essaya had been living in KwaMashu and working as a cleaner before deciding to leave.
“It’s a dangerous situation, so it’s best to go and face life’s struggles at home,” she said.
The decision weighs heavily on her. Returning to Malawi means leaving behind the job that helped sustain her.
“I was working as a cleaner in one of the local firms, but I’m leaving that job. Back home, I have nothing to look forward to. I’m going back out of fear for my life.”
Despite the uncertainty, she expressed relief that she had already completed the verification and processing procedures required before repatriation.
“Now I’m just waiting for a bus,” she said.
Mncwabe estimated the number of Malawians currently at the site to be about 6 000.
He said on Sunday eight buses left with about 800 adults and children while one bus left with 80 people on Monday.
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We can’t tell the exact number of people because there are new arrivals almost everyday. We have brought in more manpower because of the load of work facing our immigration officers.
“We started with five officers, but we have now increased the number to 35,” said Mncwabe.
He said the immigrants came from Port Shepstone, Pietermaritzburg and Stanger.
“The Malawian government has undertaken to make available 10 buses, which we expect to see tomorrow [Tuesday]. We are concerned about the increasing numbers, and we are hoping that both governments will work something out to avoid this becoming a health hazard,” said Mncwabe.
