Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda has asked the South African government to ensure the safe and dignified return of Malawians who voluntarily wish to leave amid escalating attacks on foreign nationals.
Chaponda made the request on Friday when he met South Africa’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Mavivi Myakayaka‑Manzini, in Lilongwe.
The Malawi government is concerned about recent violence that has intensified in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu‑Natal and Johannesburg, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said yesterday.
after the meeting. I Lloyd Chitsulo
During the meeting, Chaponda asked Myakayaka‑Manzini what measures the South African government is taking to protect foreign nationals and to prosecute vigilante groups, including those associated with Operation Dudula. Operation Dudula is an anti‑immigrant movement that aims to remove undocumented foreigners from South Africa.
The ministry’s statement quoted Chaponda as saying many South African nationals operate businesses in Malawi with full protection from the law and the country’s security agencies. He expressed regret that the situation in South Africa had compelled Malawi to activate emergency repatriation plans for an initial 600 nationals, and to make arrangements for the deceased and survivors of a fatal accident in Zimbabwe who were fleeing the attacks.
According to the statement, Myakayaka‑Manzini said the South African government had deployed police to attack hotspots to provide protection and expressed optimism that perpetrators would be prosecuted.
“Her Excellency Mavivi Myakayaka‑Manzini underscored that the government of the Republic of South Africa is doing everything possible through diplomatic channels to ensure that repatriation is only voluntary and does not affect those who are legally in South Africa,” the statement added.
Myakayaka‑Manzini also expressed gratitude for the long‑standing relations between South Africa and Malawi and stressed that the developmental partnership between the two countries remains important.
The recent attacks have strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and several African countries. Ghana and Nigeria this week wrote to the African Union to discuss the issue and offered to repatriate their citizens. Kenya, Zimbabwe and Lesotho have also issued safety notices to their nationals in South Africa.
In recent weeks thousands of South Africans have protested across the country, demanding the immediate deportation of illegal immigrants, whom they accuse of taking jobs. The protests have led to the closure of some shops, particularly those owned by foreigners or employing foreign workers.
