Tensions boil over as nearly 10,000 Malawians await departure from South Africa

A large voluntary repatriation operation involving foreign nationals in Durrban, descended into chaos on Wednesday, after frustrated Malawian nationals clashed with police while awaiting transport to take them home.

The unrest broke out outside Sherwood Park, where thousands of Malawian nationals have gathered in recent weeks seeking assistance to return their country of origin.

Tensions escalated when protesters began throwing stones at police officers and journalists covering the demonstration after learning that some individuals would be moved to an overflow facility rather than being immediately processed for repatriation.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) responded with rubber bullets and stun grenades in an effort to disperse the crowd.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over rising anti-migrant sentiment and broader immigration-related tensions in South Africa.

Many of the Malawian nationals said they had reached breaking point after weeks of waiting, insisting they wanted to return home directly rather than be transferred to another holding site as the phased repatriation process continues.

South African and Malawian officials have acknowledged the strain placed on the operation, as the number of nationals awaiting repatriation continues to grow.

With an estimated 10,000 people now affected, the Malawian government has appealed for financial assistance to support the return of its citizens, warning that the scale of the operation is creating significant logistical and humanitarian pressures. 

eThekwini Mayor, Cyril Xaba, said the Sherwood site had become overcrowded, announcing measures aimed at accelerating the repatriation process.

“To facilitate the relocation of people from Sherwood to the Drive-in site, eThekwini Municipality has deployed ten buses,” Xaba said. “Four of the buses will operate continuously between Sherwood, the Drive-in site and the Magistrate’s Court to support processing and deportation activity.”

He added that additional security personnel had been deployed, while SAPS officers would assist in verifying whether individuals scheduled for deportation have pending criminal cases.

The status of the Malawian nationals has also come under scrutiny, with the Department of Home Affairs confirming that 1,876 Malawian nationals at the site were found to be in the country illegally, including cases of visa overstays, expired travel documents and undocumented status.

To fast-track immigration proceedings, the Departments of Justice and Home Affairs have established a virtual priority court linked to the Durban Magistrate’s Court to process cases involving those gathered at Sherwood Park.

The developments come as immigration remains a highly contested issue in South Africa, with some civic organisations calling for undocumented foreign national to leave the country by 30 June.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, however, reiterated that government will not allow anti-immigration actions to destabilise the country.

“No South African must take any action against any person from any of our African sister countries. That is the responsibility of the government and government officials. So the 30 June, in my view, is not a necessary event, because we are addressing the challenges that our people are facing,” Ramaphosa said during June 16 commemorations on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, has rejected claims that South Africa is experiencing widespread xenophobic attacks, urging that incidents involving foreign nationals be assessed based on verified facts. 

“Where there is violence, it must be condemned and dealt with. But where there is fake news, you must equally condemn it and deal with it so that we engage in reality and fact-based information,” said Lamola.

Several other African countries, including Mozambique, Nigeria and Ghana, have also assisted citizens seeking to return home amid safety concerns ahead of the 30 June deadline set by some civic organisation movements in South Africa.

The Malawi Government says about 10,000 Malawian nationals are stranded in South Africa following recent anti-immigrant violence and is now appealing for financial assistance to help bring them home from basically anyone who can help including ordinary citizens.

In a statement… pic.twitter.com/518DRFQeR1

— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) June 16, 2026

A priority court has been established in Durban to fast-track immigration cases following the discovery that a large group of Malawian nationals staying at Sherwood Hall were in South Africa unlawfully. pic.twitter.com/SdUXpuwh59

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) June 17, 2026