490 Malawians deported from South African.
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
A total of 490 Malawian nationals have been repatriated from the Republic of South Africa after being found in breach of that country’s immigration regulations.
The group was received on Saturday, November 8, 2025, through the Mwanza One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
Sgt. Sophina Chibenthu, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Mwanza OSBP, confirmed that the deportees comprising 472 men and 18 women were transported aboard six buses from the Lindela Repatriation Centre in South Africa.
According to Sgt. Chibenthu, the group underwent all standard immigration clearance procedures upon arrival before being handed over to relevant authorities for further processing.
She explained that preliminary assessments by immigration officers revealed that the majority of the returnees came from the southern districts of Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka, and Thyolo.
Sgt. Chibenthu stated that the deportees were counseled on the importance of adhering to proper travel and residence documentation when entering or living in another country.
“The individuals were reminded that compliance with immigration laws ensures safety, dignity, and continued access to regional opportunities,” said Sgt. Chibenthu.
She further highlighted that many of the affected individuals had overstayed their visas or entered South Africa without valid permits, leading to their detention and eventual deportation.
Sgt. Chibenthu added that the Malawi government continues to work closely with South African authorities to ensure that repatriation processes are conducted in a humane and lawful manner.
“The collaboration between our two nations reflects a shared commitment to managing migration responsibly while upholding human rights,” she noted.
In her remarks, Sgt. Chibenthu reminded Malawians that being deported from a foreign country does not invalidate one’s passport.
“A Malawian passport remains an official and valid travel document unless it has been revoked by the issuing authority,” she clarified, urging citizens to safeguard their passports and refrain from tampering with or destroying them.
Sgt. Chibenthu concluded by advising Malawians seeking employment or residence abroad to always use legal channels, stressing that proper documentation helps prevent unnecessary hardship and future deportations.
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