3 July 2026
Hundreds of Malawians are camped outside a former makeshift repatriation site at the old drive-in, Durban. Photo: Joseph Bracken
Desperate to escape threats of violence, about 400 Malawians are camped outside the former makeshift repatriation site at an old drive-in site in Durban. The site was officially closed on 29 June. Authorities urged people not to go to the site where no further assistance would be provided.
People camped outside with their belongings told GroundUp that they are still hoping their country’s government or donors will help them return to Malawi.
Gift of the Givers organised two buses, paid for by donors, to collect people, according to Bilall Jeewa, the organisation’s community liaison officer. He said the buses will head straight to Malawi, stopping on the way to process the paperwork of those onboard. A Gift of the Givers team in Musina will meet the buses.
The organisation has asked the eThekwini municipality for a meeting to discuss ways to manage the growing camp, said Jeewa. “We can’t just leave it to be and pretend it’s not there.”
Catherine Smith, general manager of City Home Disaster Relief, an organisation which mobilises local churches for support with disaster relief efforts, said they have asked for permission to feed those stranded outside. “They [metro police] are trying to discourage public feeding because they say it’s making it comfortable for people to be here. They don’t want another camp to be established.”
Metro police eventually allowed the organisation to feed the crowds after news that repatriation buses would arrive later on Friday.
City Homes estimates there are about 400 people camped outside. However, Adam Ali, a Malawian helping to list people before they board, said the number is closer to 800.
Women and children will be prioritised when the buses arrive later on Friday. Photo: Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Lula Khali told GroundUp that he had waited for his final pay cheque from his employer before coming to the site. He said he would not return to South Africa.
“I was working here for almost five years and now my job is gone because of the people discriminating against us,” said Khali.
Andrew Chitseko said, “Yesterday we spent the night outside. It was raining and it was cold. That is why we are feeling sorry for the children and pregnant women. We want to move them first if we can get buses.”
In a statement on Friday, the municipality reiterated that the Durban drive-in site is no longer operational as a temporary repatriation facility. The municipality has asked that “undocumented foreign nationals” stop arriving at the site as no services will be provided.
Over the past month or so, more than 20,000 Malawian nationals were processed at the site and at the Sherwood makeshift cam, the municipality said. More than 300 buses were procured by the government, and 150 of those were provided by the municipality on a cost recovery basis.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said the province is in talks with various embassies of people still looking to be repatriated.
“People of KwaZulu-Natal are not xenophobic but people coming from other countries should learn to respect our laws. No one is allowed to be in the country without proper documents. I wish to thank those who took part in the march on Tuesday because we didn’t hear of any violence,” said Ntuli
