Malawi Plans to Deport Nationals Amid Anti-Immigrant Violence

On Tuesday, Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to deport its nationals from South Africa, coinciding with a surge in anti-immigrant violence. This follows reports from Mozambique that five of its citizens were killed in Mossel Bay, a town in South Africa.

On Friday, Mossel Bay experienced violent protests that led to the destruction of 55 huts. According to reports from South African national broadcaster SABC, tensions escalated over allegations that illegal immigrants were taking jobs away from local workers.

Police began discovering bodies linked to this unrest, with reports indicating that a 27-year-old man had been brutally assaulted.

Authorities responded early Saturday after finding the victim’s body, with visible signs of a violent attack. Soon after, a second victim, a 43-year-old man, who also had severe injuries, was pronounced dead at a hospital. Both men were confirmed to have come from Mozambique.

In a different incident, at around 3 a.m. Sunday, police were called to the New Rest settlement, where they found the body of an 18-year-old South African man named Nlamulo Sambo, who had been stabbed outside a hut.

There seems to be some uncertainty regarding whether Sambo was the victim of a xenophobic attack or involved in a crime that led to his death. His family believes he was targeted because of tribalism, maintaining that he is being unfairly portrayed as a criminal by the police.

Nomsa Sambo, the victim’s aunt, expressed her anguish, stating, “He was killed because he was a descendant of the Tsonga people. It’s about hatred towards his skin color.” The Tsonga are an ethnic group found in both Mozambique and South Africa.

The Western Cape government condemned the violent incidents in Mossel Bay, offering condolences to the victims’ families and urging the public to resolve issues surrounding crime and illegal immigration through lawful means.

On Monday, the Mozambican government reported that five of its nationals had died in South Africa due to xenophobic attacks, with two more dying in a road accident while trying to flee back home. However, South African police stated that only two Mozambicans had died during the violence in Mossel Bay.

While approximately 300 Mozambicans managed to return home that weekend, the Mozambican government anticipates that at least another 500 will seek to return as the situation could deteriorate further.

Late Tuesday, Malawi’s Ministry announced that it would facilitate the repatriation of Malawian citizens from South Africa. Any Malawian requesting help would be assisted in their evacuation.

Specific details about the repatriation process will be released as logistical arrangements are confirmed, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

Reports indicate that many Malians and Mozambicans sought refuge in rural areas after fleeing violence related to anti-immigrant sentiments in South African towns over the weekend before relocating to safer areas in a more peaceful city along the southern coast.

A Mozambican immigrant shared, “They just chased us away like dogs. It’s not fair; I’m human too.”

He added, “We were in the bush until 6 a.m.”

Meanwhile, a Malawian immigrant described how landlords were demanding that non-South African tenants vacate premises immediately due to threats from mobs armed with machetes.

Recently, small-scale anti-immigration protests have been reported throughout South Africa, but they’ve intensified as pressure mounts from groups urging the expulsion of illegal immigrants before a June 30 deadline they associate with government directives.

Interestingly, the deadline seems to be driven by a social media post erroneously perceived as an official government notice. This has caused some South Africans to believe that a mandate for immigrants to leave by the specified date has official backing.

The post stated, “This is a final reminder. All illegal aliens must voluntarily leave the Republic of South Africa by June 30th. Failure to comply may result in arrest and deportation.”

This notice included contact information for the South African government for additional details on this artificial deadline.

However, it has been clarified that the notice stemmed from an individual associated with Operation Dudula, an anti-immigrant group in South Africa. The group’s members attribute many of the country’s socioeconomic issues to immigrants.

South African Police have labeled this notice as misleading disinformation intended to incite unnecessary panic, noting the unauthorized use of the national emblem in the post.