Undocumented Malawians living in South Africa remain uncertain about their future with some losing their jobs and others fearing for their safety as anti-migrant protests resumed in parts of the country yesterday.
Malawians living in different provinces in South Africa confided in separate interviews yesterday that anxiety remains high.
A Malawian woman based in Bellville, Cape Town said local traders continue demanding the removal of foreigners from the area.
She said her employer has advised her to stay away from work for safety reasons.
“Employees are also afraid of being found hiring foreigners and we have been told to stop going to work,” said the woman who sought anonymity for fear of being identified and attacked.
Another Malawian man described the situation in Johannesburg as volatile because of the renewed protests.
He said South African authorities have also intensified operations targeting undocumented migrants.
However, a Malawian living in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape said life has remained largely normal in the area with no anti-immigration protests.
The renewed uncertainty comes as anti-migrant vigilante groups, including March and March resumed weekly demonstrations yesterday, following nationwide anti-migration protests held on June 30 that targeted undocumented foreign nationals.
South African broadcaster eNCA reported that protesters in Alexandra, Gauteng Province went from house to house and business to business searching for people they believed were living and working in the country illegally.
On the other hand, Newzroom Afrika also reported protests in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province, where community members demanded that foreign nationals operating businesses leave the area.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma joined demonstrators in Mtwalume, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), she said the group’s campaign would continue because many undocumented migrants are still living in the country.
Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged in a national address that illegal immigration remains a major challenge, but said his government was stepping up enforcement of immigration laws.
President Peter Mutharika also indicated that he discussed the issue with Ramaphosa and urged Malawians to remain calm.
Meanwhile, Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs figures show that as of July 9, more than 38 000 Malawians had returned from South Africa aboard 571 buses after fleeing anti-immigration tensions.
Of the returnees, 26 407 are male and 11 687 are female. The department has also recorded six deaths linked to the repatriation exercise while 9 862 returnees have undergone medical consultation.
