Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – More than 7,000 Malawian citizens are stranded at the Sherwood Hall reception centre in Durban, in eastern South Africa, waiting to find a way to return to their home country.
Most of them are fleeing the violence against immigrants that for weeks has been forcing thousands of migrants to leave South Africa, abandoning their homes, jobs and possessions. Others have decided to leave due to uncertainty about their safety, exacerbated by the announcement of restrictive immigration policies by President Cyril Ramaphosa (see Fides, 10/6/2026).
Illegal anti-immigrant groups operating in the suburbs, commercial areas and informal settlements inhabited by migrants have ordered foreigners without residence permits to leave South Africa by 30 June.
The situation at Sherwood Hall is dire. In just six days, the number of Malawians requesting repatriation has risen from fewer than a hundred to six thousand, and now stands at over seven thousand. Many families are living in severely overcrowded conditions and are relying on sporadic aid, in the hope of being able to return to Malawi soon.
The Malawian consular authorities have stepped in to assist with the voluntary repatriation operations, issuing collective passports listing the names of all passengers on board each bus. The document is intended to facilitate transit through countries such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique during the return journey.
However, delays have been reported, mainly due to buses failing to arrive on schedule, logistical problems and reports of a lack of funds.
So far, only eight buses have been made available, leaving thousands of people still stranded. Migrants have also been told that no further funds are available to finance repatriation and that those unable to return voluntarily may be transferred to the Lindela repatriation centre, located in Krugersdorp, near Johannesburg.
Lindela is South Africa’s main detention facility for irregular migrants awaiting deportation. The centre has long been the subject of criticism due to its reception conditions, high running costs — as it is run by private operators — allegations of corruption and a chronic shortage of available places. (L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 15/6/2026)
