Malawian man dies after falling ill on Musina repatriation bus

A Malawian national died after falling ill while being transported from the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre, Limpopo Home Affairs officials confirmed on Monday, 6 July 2026. The man became unwell on a bus bound for a port of entry and collapsed during the journey, prompting the driver to return to the centre where emergency services were called.

Journey turned back after passenger fell ill

Limpopo Home Affairs head Albert Matsaung said the buses had been loaded at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre between midday and early afternoon and had been prepared the previous day. He said the buses were earmarked for Zimbabwe and Malawi as part of the repatriation process.

Matsaung said the incident occurred after one of the buses had already left the centre and travelled about 15 kilometres before turning back when a passenger became ill. “One of the bus drivers came back. I think he turned around 15 kilometres away from the centre,” he said.

Collapse, emergency response and investigation

According to information from the bus driver and other passengers, the man told those with him that he was feeling unwell. “The information that we received from the bus driver and from the people that were with the deceased person is that he just said, ‘I’m feeling hot, temperatures are up.’ Then he took off his shirt, and then from there he collapsed,” Matsaung said.

The bus returned to the Musina centre, where emergency services and police were called to the scene. “That is where the emergency services were called, and that is where the police also came to do what they are supposed to do,” Matsaung said. He added that emergency services confirmed the man had died and that he was a Malawian national.

Officials said the exact cause of death has not yet been determined and will be investigated by health authorities. “Do we know circumstances regarding their death? No, no, we don’t,” Matsaung said.

What officials have said

“We were here at the centre up until I think 12 o’clock to 1 o’clock. There are buses that we loaded yesterday,”

Albert Matsaung, Limpopo Home Affairs head

The repatriation buses were part of scheduled transfers for nationals being returned to neighbouring countries. Further details about the man’s identity and the findings of any health investigation were not provided.