As part of the continuous voluntary repatriation initiative, buses transporting Malawians back from South Africa reached Blantyre.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, says over 53,000 foreign nationals - the vast majority being Malawians - have been processed for deportation or repatriation since mid-June.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday to update on government progress in managing migration, Kubayi said the government commenced the assisted repatriation process following challenges regarding the Malawi government’s inability to fund buses for repatriation from June 14.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Minister and Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi briefed the media on the government’s progress in addressing and managing migration-related matters.
“On June 26, 2026, we reported that 15,162 Malawian nationals had been repatriated. We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of foreign nationals who have either been deported or repatriated to date (as of close of business – July 11). A total of 53,449 foreign nationals have been processed for either deportation or repatriation, which is dominated by the Malawians (more than 80%), followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans. Repatriations to countries beyond SADC (Southern African Development Community) amount to 2,615 and include returns to Kenya with a total of 431; Nigeria, 1,159; the Republic of Congo, 86; and Uganda, 939,” Kubayi said.
