Malawians account for more than 80% of 53,449 foreign nationals processed for removal from South Africa

More than 53,000 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation or repatriation from South Africa since mid‑June, and the government says Malawian nationals make up over 80% of that total, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi told reporters at a media briefing in Pretoria.

Numbers and who has been returned

Kubayi said that as of close of business on 11 July a total of 53,449 foreign nationals had been processed for either deportation or repatriation. She noted that these removals are “dominated by the Malawians (more than 80%), followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.”

The minister gave a breakdown of repatriations to countries beyond SADC, saying these amounted to 2,615 and included returns to Kenya (431), Nigeria (1,159), the Republic of Congo (86) and Uganda (939).

Kubayi also recalled an earlier update: “On June 26, 2026, we reported that 15,162 Malawian nationals had been repatriated.”

Recent deportation figures

The minister said regular immigration deportation processes continued alongside assisted repatriation. For June 2026 a total of 4,898 people were deported, with the following nationalities reported: Malawi – 1,929; Zimbabwe – 1,384; Mozambique – 1,200; Lesotho – 342.

For the period 14 June to 8 July 2026, Kubayi said 2,801 people were deported: Malawi – 910; Zimbabwe – 903; Mozambique – 755; Lesotho – 187.

Processing centre, documents and a reported death

The Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) in Musina, Kubayi said, is “serviced by stakeholders, including embassies,” which have helped with documents such as a collective passport list for Malawi, certificates of repatriation for Zimbabwe and temporary travel documents for Mozambican nationals.

She explained this support is necessary because “most nationals do not possess valid passports or have expired visas and permits.”

Kubayi said the Limpopo Health Department is conducting an inquest into the death of Malawian Kassim Jaffati, aged 47, who died while being returned to Malawi just before the bus reached the Beitbridge port of entry. His body had to be returned to the Musina centre and a case was opened at the Musina police station.

Statements from Malawi’s foreign minister

In a ministerial statement to Malawi’s Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda said South Africa hosts “the largest concentration of Malawian nationals outside our country,” and that “the majority of our compatriots there are employed in the informal sector and in the lower bracket of the labour force in agriculture, construction, and retail.” He added that many live in “townships, farms, and informal settlements.”

Chaponda described the situation as a crisis that “began in April” and called it “the most severe to affect Malawians in many years.” He cited a Department of Disaster Management Affairs estimate that “as of 6th July 2026, an estimated total of 30,000 nationals are reported to have returned home.”

Fatalities recorded during movements

Reporting on deaths, Chaponda provided specific incidents: “On May 5, 2026, a bus carrying fleeing Malawians was involved in a fatal crash in Mutoko District, Zimbabwe, near the Nyamapanda border post, claiming 15 Malawian lives.” He also said: “On May 7, 2026, a passenger bus originating from Mzunzu, travelling through Limpopo province, South Africa, was involved in a fatal crash near Louis Trichardt in which eight Malawians perished.” Chaponda added that more fatalities were recorded among nationals in transit at the Nyamapanda and Mwanza border posts.

What officials say next

Both South African and Malawian officials have provided regular briefings on assisted repatriation and deportation processes, document support at the Musina TRPC, and investigations into deaths reported during movements. Authorities continue to process removals while addressing the logistical and documentation challenges officials identified.