More than 38,000 Malawians brought back from South Africa – six dead on journey home

Background to the wave of repatriations

The exodus is part of a series of similar actions by several African states. Just recently, the Mozambican government had flown hundreds of its compatriots out of Johannesburg after xenophobic attacks on African migrants and foreign workers had also occurred there. Observers see the repatriations as a direct response to a wave of heightened tensions in parts of South African society.

South Africa is one of the wealthiest countries on the continent and has long attracted labor migrants from the rest of Africa. At the same time, the country struggles with an official unemployment rate of more than 30 percent and high crime figures, which has repeatedly inflamed sentiment toward immigrant workers. In recent weeks, too, calls for retaliation against foreign workers – who are accused of taking jobs away from locals – have been growing louder on social media.

Human rights organizations have warned for years that violence against African migrants in South Africa is often stoked by politicians and community leaders. In the recent incidents as well, there are indications that instigators came from the ranks of the so-called Operation Dudula – a vigilante movement that officially takes action against what it views as illegal immigration and crime, but is blamed by critics for racist attacks.

Economic consequences for Malawi

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and is heavily dependent on the remittances of its citizens working abroad. The loss of thousands of workers in South Africa could worsen the economic situation of many families in Malawi, as a significant share of household income had come from wages earned in South African mines, on farms, or in the service sector.

According to its own statements, the Malawian government set up emergency shelters and medical care at the border crossings to look after the arriving returnees. At the same time, the government called on the citizens of South Africa not to further escalate the situation and appealed to neighboring countries not to portray their nationals wholesale as scapegoats.

Reactions from South Africa

The South African foreign ministry has also now commented on the incidents, pointing to the legally enshrined equal treatment of all people living in South Africa. The government is working with the security authorities to investigate the incidents and ensure the safety of foreign workers. At the same time, it was acknowledged that the economic difficulties and high unemployment were further inflaming sentiment in the country.

International observers see the mass repatriations as a warning sign for the entire region. When tens of thousands of migrants have to give up their livelihoods in South Africa within a few weeks, this points to a structural problem that can be solved neither by deportations nor by appeals alone. Among the demands are stronger regional agreements on the security of migrant workers and a more determined approach against hate-mongering forces.