- Relocation from Durban: eThekwini Municipality announced that Malawian nationals at the Durban Drive-In temporary repatriation site are being moved to a new Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina, Limpopo. This follows a 26 June 2026 decision by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to centralize processing and speed up voluntary repatriation/deportation via the Beitbridge border post. The Durban site will close once the transfer is complete. The move aims to manage the large numbers more effectively ahead of planned anti-immigration protests around 30 June.
- Processing Numbers: By 25 June 2026, South African authorities had processed over 15,000 Malawian nationals for deportation or voluntary repatriation (mostly from the Durban operation). Earlier figures (around 22 June) showed more than 7,000 sent back, with thousands more still being verified.
- Site History: The operation began at Sherwood Hall (conditions deteriorated quickly, leading to overcrowding and clashes). Residents were moved to the Old Drive-In site for better control, space, sanitation, and processing (fingerprinting, citizenship verification, criminal checks). Many arrived fleeing xenophobic threats, evictions, or job losses amid rising anti-immigrant tensions.
- Ongoing Efforts: Buses have been departing from Durban (e.g., multiple buses on 26 June). Challenges include verifying undocumented individuals (most lack passports; Malawi issues group documents), logistics, and accommodating new arrivals. Some babies have been born at the sites.
Broader Context
This is part of a larger response to anti-immigrant protests and violence in South Africa, affecting Malawians and others. Many are voluntarily seeking repatriation due to safety fears, while undocumented individuals face formal deportation. Coordination involves South African Home Affairs, SAPS, eThekwini, provincial authorities, NGOs, and the Malawian government.
