Hundreds of Malawians camp outside Woodmead consulate waiting for repatriation

According to IOL, hundreds of Malawian nationals have been sleeping outside the Malawian Consulate in Woodmead, near Sandton, enduring freezing winter nights as they wait to be processed for repatriation to Malawi.

Who is affected and why they are leaving

Most of the Malawian nationals at the consulate admitted they were in South Africa illegally, and many told IOL that they struggled to obtain travel documents legally in Malawi. Several interviewees described leaving because of worsening anti-illegal migration sentiment and difficult working conditions.

Steve Changulu told IOL:

“It is difficult to get the right papers in Malawi. Without money and jobs readily available in our country, South Africa has become our only hope,”

Cynthia Mbewe, who had worked as a domestic worker in Vereeniging for nine years, said she had left her five-year-old child in the care of her sister and arrived at the consulate earlier in the week. She told IOL:

“It has been tough sleeping in the cold for the past three days.”

Mbewe also said:

“One cannot be too angry against South Africans who want us gone. It is their country, and we have to see what we can do when we get home.”

She further described exploitation in employment:

“You know, we are exploited heavily by our employers in the kitchens. They refuse to pay us the R3,500 minimum wage, while South Africans are paid that or even more. In fact, I would say, South Africans are treated much better in the homes of their employers than we Malawians.”

Journeys and costs

Some migrants travelled long distances to reach Woodmead to register for the repatriation process. John Tete, who spent eight years in South Africa without papers, told IOL he travelled overnight from Pietermaritzburg and arrived at Woodmead by 7am. He said the volatile environment and rising anti-migrant sentiment influenced his decision to leave.

Sylvia Mhango arrived with her six-year-old child to register and described uncertainty about schooling back in Malawi. She told IOL that taking a normal bus home was costly, saying:

“It is very expensive to go home, costing about R2,500 for one person, excluding large luggage and food for the trip. For someone who was working as a domestic worker, that is R10,000 that I do not have.”

Processing and humanitarian support

According to IOL, the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre has processed 70,000 undocumented migrants since it opened over two weeks ago. IOL also reported that humanitarian organisations have stepped in to assist those affected.

Faizel Hoomer from Islamic Relief South Africa told IOL:

“Initially, we saw about 15 displaced Malawians in Sherwood, but that figure quickly ballooned to over 15,000,”

and said the organisation had been providing meals and support during the deportation processes.

What awaits those returning

Interviewees described mixed emotions about returning. Some expressed resignation and concern for their families and future livelihoods, while acknowledging the desire of South Africans to have immigration enforced. The accounts published by IOL convey exhaustion, cold exposure, and logistical challenges as people wait for transport to processing centres.