10,000 Malawians stranded in South Africa after xenophobic evictions
Durban – An estimated 10,000 Malawians are reportedly sleeping in the cold after being displaced from their homes amid a wave of anti-foreigner attacks and intimidation of migrants in parts of South Africa.
The government of Malawi has launched an emergency repatriation program to assist thousands of its citizens stranded in South Africa following the latest surge in xenophobic tensions.
In a statement released on 15 June 2026, Malawi's Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said that operations were already underway, with the first group of returnees arriving safely in Malawi on 9 June. More civilians are expected to return in the coming weeks.
DoDMA Commissioner Wilson Moloney said the initiative is being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malawi's High Commission in Pretoria after authorities received a sharp increase in distress calls from Malawians living across South Africa. By June 13, approximately 10,000 Malawians had requested assistance.
To facilitate the safe return of affected people, the Government of Malawi has deployed a registration and verification team to South Africa. Emergency travel documents are also being issued to citizens who have lost identity documents or do not have valid travel documents.
In Malawi, authorities have turned Kamuzu Stadium into a temporary reception and processing centre. The returnees are being provided accommodation, food, transport, psychosocial support and other humanitarian assistance before they are reunited with their families.
Moloney said transport operators have also been activated to take vulnerable civilians from shelters and affected communities in South Africa to designated departure points.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa over the past two decades. Major attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 killed dozens, injured hundreds and displaced thousands, with migrants from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia and other African countries often targeted.
Many attacks have been fueled by the perception that foreign nationals are taking jobs, housing and business opportunities from South Africans, especially in poor communities struggling with high unemployment, poverty and crime. However, human rights organizations have repeatedly argued that migrants are often used as scapegoats for the broader socio-economic challenges facing the country.
In recent months, concerns have also grown over the activities of self-styled anti-immigration groups and vigilante groups, who have conducted raids on businesses and informal settlements seeking to remove undocumented migrants. Critics have accused authorities of failing to take decisive action against groups accused of intimidation and illegal evictions.
The situation has caused concern across the African continent, with many governments and regional organizations previously urging South Africa to protect foreign nationals and uphold its obligations under the African Union and international human rights frameworks. Previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence have led to diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the countries whose citizens were targeted.
While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned xenophobic violence and called for peaceful coexistence between South Africans and foreign nationals, critics argue that law enforcement agencies have often been slow to respond to attacks and intimidation targeting migrants.
Moloney reaffirmed Malawi's commitment to assisting all citizens wishing to return home but warned that the scale of the operation has placed enormous strain on available resources.
He appealed to development partners, businesses, faith-based organizations, transportation providers and well-wishers to assist with funding, transportation and humanitarian supplies.
“We are committed to ensuring that every Malawian who wishes to return home is assisted in a safe and dignified manner,” he said.
Officials also assured the public that all donations and aid will be managed transparently and used exclusively for repatriation and humanitarian assistance programs.
As thousands of people await evacuation, many are unsure of when they will return home and what their future will look like as they recover their lives in South Africa.