DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is on the ground in KwaZulu-Natal to oversee the accelerated repatriation of Malawian immigrants, confirming that a newly established Durban processing hub is now fully operational to expedite the return of undocumented foreign nationals to their home country.
Accompanied by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Thandi Moraka, the minister led a government delegation to the temporary facility located at the Durban Drive-In. The site was established by the eThekwini Municipality to serve as a second, more spacious processing center designed to alleviate the massive crowds and streamline logistics for the voluntary return program.
Streamlining Operations and Repatriation Milestones
During a comprehensive walkabout and media briefing at the new facility, Kubayi provided updated figures on the ongoing operation. She confirmed that 5,000 Malawian immigrants have already been successfully repatriated since the initiative commenced. Furthermore, an additional 2,000 individuals are scheduled to board buses tonight, which will bring the total number of returnees to 7,000.
These departing nationals will embark on a three-day journey back to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.
The minister noted that the initial phases of the operation deliberately prioritized women and mothers traveling with children to ensure their safe and swift return. Consequently, the current queues at the Durban Drive-In consist predominantly of men.
The new hub was created to manage the overwhelming numbers that initially gathered at the first processing site, Sherwood Hall. According to the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, approximately 13,000 individuals initially flocked to Sherwood Hall seeking assistance. The crowds continued to swell as additional buses arrived carrying foreign nationals from Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle.
Comprehensive Processing and Humanitarian Support
The Durban Drive-In facility utilizes large marquee tents to facilitate a highly organized, multi-step workflow. Undocumented Malawian nationals are first required to undergo rigorous fingerprinting. This critical step allows authorities to screen individuals and verify that they are not wanted for any criminal activities.
Following the biometric capture, the immigrants are processed administratively through the Department of Home Affairs and the Malawi High Commission. The High Commissioner was present at the site to oversee the final documentation and travel permits before the individuals board their transport.
Humanitarian efforts are also heavily integrated into the operation to ensure the well-being of those in transit. A dedicated medical center has been set up on-site, staffed by Red Cross representatives and local community volunteers who are providing essential healthcare. These same volunteer networks are distributing meals, highlighting what Kubayi described as a vital and effective partnership between the government, civil society, and local residents.
Cracking Down on Inhumane “Drop-Off” Practices
A major focal point of the minister’s address was the growing logistical trend of employers or third parties transporting foreign nationals to the temporary site only to abandon them. Kubayi strongly condemned the practice of dropping people off in the streets or at the processing center, describing it as deeply inhumane.
She issued a direct appeal to employers, business owners, and transport operators who have the financial means to move foreign nationals. Instead of bringing them to the Durban hub, Kubayi urged them to contact the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) or the Department of Home Affairs directly.
The government is prepared to assist these operators with cross-border permits, allowing them to transport individuals in a kombi or a bus directly to the border or their final destinations, bypassing the temporary center entirely.
Resolving Delays and Phasing Out Sherwood Hall
Addressing concerns regarding the initial pace of the repatriations, Kubayi clarified the logistical and legal hurdles that caused early bottlenecks. The operation initially faced challenges in securing a sufficient number of buses. To manage the backlog, the government then pivoted to utilizing the judicial system, establishing bail courts in collaboration with the judiciary.
While the court processes caused further delays, Kubayi assured the public that those issues have since been resolved. The operation has now returned to direct repatriations, allowing the numbers to move much faster and significantly improving turnaround times.
As operations consolidate at the new Durban Drive-In location, the Sherwood Hall site is being officially decommissioned. Approximately 800 individuals remaining at the old location are currently being transported by government vehicles to the new hub.
To prevent any stragglers or unauthorized transport operators from returning to the old location, authorities are erecting barbed wire around the Sherwood Hall premises. The minister emphasized that the old site is completely closed, and all assistance, processing, and transport are now exclusively centralized at the new Durban facility.