Malawian migrants return from South Africa amid anti‑foreigner unrest

Thousands of Malawian workers are being repatriated from South Africa after anti‑foreigner violence erupted during the country's election period. The Malawi Department of Disaster Management Affairs said about 10,000 Malawians were in distress, and 6,936 have returned so far. South African authorities have processed 15,162 Malawian nationals for deportation and repatriation.

Returnees describe losing possessions and being forced to flee open fields in Durban. One woman, Janet Kapito, told Al Jazeera, “I was staying indoors after the protests started and I could not work.” She arrived at Kamuzu Stadium with only a baby and received 70,000 kwacha in assistance. Another returnee, Thokozani Mphola, said, “I said if I am going to die, let me die in my home country.” The Malawi government is facilitating the return and providing modest cash aid, while many returnees face unemployment and the challenge of rebuilding their lives.