The South African government says it has so far processed more than 15,000 Malawian nationals for departure. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that a total of 15,162 Malawians have been processed for deportation and repatriation, with more still under review. Living conditions in parts of the southeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, where Malawians had gathered for weeks, had become “untenable,” Kubayi said.
The country’s border authority announced that between June 12 and 24, it processed 8,230 foreign nationals for repatriation at the Beitbridge border crossing with Zimbabwe. Among them were 6,709 Malawians in 112 buses and 1,521 Zimbabweans in 26 buses.
The recent tensions have already led to several deaths. According to official sources, at least three people have died in xenophobic attacks. Mozambican authorities report five deaths among their nationals. Minister Kubayi specified that two were killed in riots, three in a car accident, and another Mozambican in a confrontation at an entertainment venue. One Malawian national was killed during a march in Pietermaritzburg.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern about groups that “go from house to house enforcing the law” – a practice he called “problematic.” The protests come at a time of political tension ahead of local elections on November 4. In 2008, similar riots left 62 people dead.
Source: www.vanguardngr.com
