150 Malawians begin voluntary return from South Africa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the first two buses carrying returnees left the Western Cape on Saturday as part of the government’s organised evacuation plan.

The group forms part of foreign nationals who had been accommodated in temporary camps in Mossel Bay following displacement, with their movement coordinated by a multidisciplinary Malawi Task Team deployed through the Malawi High Commission in South Africa.

“The first 2 buses carrying 150 Malawian Nationals under the Voluntary Repatriation Exercise departed Western Cape Province, in South Africa, on Saturday, 6 June 2026,” the Ministry said, according to IOL.

Officials confirmed that the buses will travel by road through Zimbabwe and Mozambique before entering Malawi via the Mwanza Border Post on Monday, 8 June 2026.

Upon arrival, the returnees will proceed to Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre for administrative processing before being transported to their respective home districts, Malawi24 reported.

“The Nationals will travel by road transiting through the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Mozambique and are expected to arrive in the country through Mwanza Border Post on Monday, June 8, 2026,” the Ministry added.

The Ministry said the exercise reflects government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens abroad, pledging continued coordination with relevant agencies to provide transit and consular support throughout the process.