PRETORIA – South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says 5,000 undocumented Malawian nationals have now been repatriated, as authorities step up efforts to manage rising tensions around immigration.
The Ministry confirmed the figure this week, linking the increase to intensified operations aimed at addressing undocumented migration. Officials said the repatriations form part of broader measures to enforce immigration laws amid growing public pressure and community unrest in several provinces.
“Authorities are intensifying efforts to manage growing tensions around immigration,” the Justice Ministry said in a statement. The department did not provide a timeframe for when the 5,000 repatriations took place.
The move comes as anti-immigration sentiment has escalated ahead of a 30 June deadline reportedly set by local groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country. The deadline has fueled anxiety and sporadic protests in areas including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of the Western Cape.
Malawians are among the largest foreign national communities in South Africa, with many working in agriculture, construction, domestic work, and informal trade. The Department of Home Affairs has been conducting joint operations with SAPS and local municipalities, focusing on documentation checks and deportations.
The Malawian High Commission in Pretoria has not yet publicly commented on the latest repatriation figures. Previous diplomatic engagements between the two countries have centered on ensuring that deportations are conducted in a humane and coordinated manner.
Civil society organizations have warned that heightened enforcement risks triggering xenophobic attacks if not managed carefully. Last week, Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini appealed for calm, urging South Africans to reject violence and xenophobia toward foreign nationals.
The Department of Home Affairs has reiterated that while South Africa welcomes documented migrants, it will continue to act against illegal immigration. The department is also expanding its deportation capacity and border management systems.
South Africa hosts millions of migrants from across the continent. Estimates of undocumented migrants vary widely, but government figures have consistently placed the number in the millions.
Further updates on repatriation operations are expected from the Justice and Home Affairs departments in the coming weeks.
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