76 Malawians return home, fleeing xenophobic attacks: Warn people against going to South Africa
At least 76 Malawians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa have arrived in Malawi in government sponsored buses and warned others not to go to the Rainbow nation, saying the situation remains volatile.
The group of Malawians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic violence arrived in Blantyre
Buses which carrued the xenophobic attack victims parked in Blantyre
The returnees, who arrived on Thursday at Njamba Freedom Park in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, where welcomed by officials from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Health, Immigration and other concerned stakeholders like Malawi Red Cross Society.
There was also a mobile clinic where the returnees were being screened with focus on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Diarrhea and sexually transmitted diseases, among others.
Likewise, Immigration Department took the trouble to screen them as well before being dispatched to their respective homes having received K25000 each from government while Malawi Red Cross Society was not only there to provide first aid assistance, but also linking the returnees with their relations through phone calls.
Out of the 76, 14 are children aged between 4 and 11 and come from Mangochi, Thyolo, Nsanje, NkhataBay, Mzimba, Mulanje, Chitipa, Balaka and Chikwawa.
One of them, Peter Phiri thanked government for shouldering logistical costs and ensuring that they return home safely.
Phiri said he wouldn’t dare to go back to South Africa saying he has learnt the hard way.
“Home is best my brother….. there is no freedom in RSA. Our lives were not safe, but we we thank government for organizing transport and food for all of us. I have no interest to go back to Pretoria, “said Phiri who also claimed to have lost his property to South Africans during the wave of xenophobic attacks.
Another victim, who didn’t want to be named, expressed worry over her husband whose whereabouts is not known there.
She said she escaped the brutal attacks when her husband was still at work and could not get hold of each other.
“I managed to escape with my babies (five months identical twins) to a community centre hoping to reunite with my husband, but things didn’t go that way.
“Efforts to trace him proved futile. I trust he managed to escape to some safer place. I lost everything including phone thats why we could not reach each other, and he is not aware among those that have returned home. He must be be equally worried about me and the babies, ” she said.
Prior to their repatriation, they were provided with basic and moral support by the Malawi government through the Malawi High Commission in the Republic of South Africa, International Organisation for Migration and Gift of Givers.
In his remarks, Principal Secretary in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs Wilson Mollen thanked them for resolving to return home.
Mollen disclosed that repatriation exercise has cost government K30 million cartering for all expenses.
“It was necessary give them transport and government, through Dodma will ensure they accorded the all support to resettle and become productive, ” said Mollen.
Moleni said DoDMA is collaborating with other ministries and government departments to ensure that these displaced Malawians are supported all the way to their various destinations in Malawi.
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Kikkkkkk a Malawi anachenjera heavy, anthu amene mukuti athawa zoyambanawo, kikkkkkkkkkk ali pa Zobwe kubwelela ku Jhb, amapanga choncho the reason kudzasiya katundu mwaulele mosalipilanso MRA inu muli athawa zipolowe, check them in their homes tomorrow, you will be surprised, hahahahahahahahahaaha! Zopolowe zachitika kangati ndipo bwanji anthu samasiya kupita ku JHB? The Government has just waste money for these guys,,,, ask me!!
Much as I disdain South Africans for the horrible treatments on fellow human beings but I feel for them, taonjeza nafe amaiko ena kukadzadzana kudziko lawo. They feel invaded. MMalo molimbana ndi maiko aeni tiyeni tigwile makholingo atsogoleri athu for failing us..leaving greener pasture is the same as kuthila bala dothi kuti lisiye kutuluka magazi. Going forward lets hold every one with any authority accountable.
While the politicians steal govt. coffers, our people suffer, please develop our country.
While I appreciate the bringing of the brothers and sisters I kiss my foot for spending K30m to transport 76 people from RSA. The amount is grossly inflated. Someone somewhere is smiling with his/her pocket full of our tax money.
Amalawi why take advantage of the crises. Bus fare is about k40,000 each x 76 =K3.04m. Can other logistics cost K26.06m? What were the logistics? Were they give cash for settlement?
Very very true. I was wondering about the same.
Even bus charged 1200 Rands (60,000) and given 25000 for domestic transport and 20,000 food allowance ( I highly doubt this anyway) that would be 105,000 per person. Total for 76 people is 7,980,000. Ask them they will tell you the people were in different south african cities, and the rest is allowances for immigration, health and foreign affairs officials. Logistical robbery
I am proud to be a Malawian. What our government today is doing for us, the way they are caring for us, and ensuring our basic rights and needs are met – you will not see it many other African countries. Malawi truly is the WARM HEART OF AFRICA. I am humbled, yet full of joy and hope, to be a citizen of this great nation. Thanks.
Pathetic! Malawi was not involved in the xenophobia attacks how foolish and funny!
76 only?