DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal – The repatriation of Malawian nationals has officially commenced in Durban, marking a significant step for those stranded at the Sherwood Hall camp. After a failed attempt on Saturday and six days of uncertainty, eight buses finally departed KwaZulu-Natal, transporting the first group of vulnerable individuals back to their home country.
The buses, each with a seating capacity of 70, were funded and procured by the government of Malawi. They left the open field in Sherwood Hall where more than 7,000 Malawians had taken refuge. The initial departure consisted exclusively of women and children, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups among the estimated 700 individuals identified for this first phase of the journey.
A government spokesperson explained that the process has been lengthy due to the involvement of various stakeholders on the ground. “We have identified close to 700 Malawians, and that includes almost 200 children, including infants,” the spokesperson stated, noting that authorities are starting with the most vulnerable.
Regarding the legal status of those at the camp, officials revealed that the vast majority were in South Africa illegally. “We have processed 1,370, that is the actual statistics,” an official stated. “I can safely say 99.99% are illegal people. The remaining fraction includes those who have passports that are obviously expired and were never renewed.” Each person traveling was issued an order to leave the country.
Despite the departure of the first group, the work for those remaining behind continues under challenging circumstances. Officials noted that it will take at least 100 buses to complete the entire repatriation process. “We are working hand in hand with our colleagues, and we know that everything is going to fall into plan as we go,” a spokesperson said. “But it’s a very difficult situation on the ground. The conditions are not very conducive, especially for babies.”
While the Malawian government has procured the initial eight buses, authorities are urgently appealing for additional support. “We are calling on all well-wishers to come on board. There could be some NGOs, relief organizations, or even individuals who can help us with a bus or two, or anything that they can actually manage, so that we take these people out of this place,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, local business leaders on the ground are echoing the call for more assistance, highlighting the dire lack of support. One business leader recounted a harrowing incident at the camp: “At the moment, we just got a baby born in this camp. The mother and the father are in the car. I’m rushing them to the hospital, and we got no assistance. This is unacceptable. The South African government is not giving any assistance, and the Malawian government is giving no assistance.”
To ensure the safety and security of all passengers, the departing buses were escorted from Sherwood. The passengers now face a long journey of just over 2,200 kilometers between South Africa and Malawi. To assist with the extensive trip, aid was provided in the form of hygiene kits and other basic necessities.