Malawian deportees stuck in Mwanza
Hopelessness and anxiety have engulfed some Malawians who have now become destitute in Mwanza District after being deported from South Africa for breaching that country’s immigration regulations.
About 245 Malawians—220 men and 25 women—were deported from Lindela Repatriations Holding Centre last week and arrived at Mwanza Border Post on Sunday aboard four South African registered buses.
The deportees, mostly from Mzimba and Mangochi districts, contravened South African immigration laws by overstaying and entering that country without valid travel documents.
Since their arrival at Mwanza border, most of them have experienced harsh realities of life as they are failing to travel to their respective homes or buy food after being cleared by the Immigration Department.
According to international immigration requirements, whenever a country is deporting someone to his or her homeland the person is left within the borders (if deported by road transport).
Immigration Department deputy spokesperson Wellington Chiponde said in an interview it was not his office’s responsibility to provide food or transport to the people other than screening them and verifying their particulars.
Previously, South African authorities used to deport Malawians using air transport but have now resorted to using buses to cut costs.
Most Malawians, flock to South Africa hoping to find better informal jobs, thus ignoring some immigration procedures which lead them to getting deportation orders. n
