The government-funded voluntary repatriation programme for Malawians affected by violence in South Africa will come to an end on 12 August 2026.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says the final buses will leave the Malawi Consulate in Johannesburg and the Malawi High Commission in Pretoria at noon on Wednesday.

Since the programme was launched, government has facilitated the return of 56,723 Malawians, including 38,866 men and 17,857 women.

The returnees also included 3,988 children under five and 694 pregnant women.

After the programme ends, Malawians wishing to return home will have to make their own travel arrangements, although consular assistance, including free emergency travel documents for eligible returnees, will continue during a transitional period.

DoDMA says the government will continue monitoring the situation and respond to any increase in returnees on a case-by-case basis.