Malawi has repatriated 41,976 nationals from South Africa since the government launched a voluntary return exercise following xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant violence.

According to the latest situation report by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the returnees arrived aboard 628 buses through Mwanza Border Post between June 7 and July 12, 2026. Of the total, 12,951 are women, including 459 pregnant women, while 2,497 are children under the age of five.

The report says the number of Malawians awaiting repatriation at the Musina Transit Camp has dropped significantly from between 5,000 and 7,000 people in late June to about 1,000 as of July 12, reflecting improved efficiency in the repatriation process.

However, new arrivals continue to reach the camp from identified hotspots in Johannesburg and Limpopo Province after reports that landlords and employers are being threatened for accommodating undocumented foreign nationals.

DoDMA says all returnees are being received, registered, screened and provided with immediate humanitarian assistance before being transported to their home districts.

The government is also providing transport cash assistance ranging from K70,000 for those travelling to the Southern Region, K100,000 for the Central Region and K150,000 for the Northern Region.

The report further indicates that 10,992 returnees have received medical care for various conditions, while 10 babies have been safely delivered during the operation.

Five people with mental health conditions have been referred to Zomba Mental Hospital, and six deaths have been recorded, five during transit and one at Mwanza District Hospital.

Meanwhile, the government says it has spent about US$4 million, approximately K7 billion, on the repatriation exercise and continues to appeal for financial and material support.

It estimates that more than 15,000 additional Malawians may still require assistance, with the response expected to cost over US$14.1 million, or about K24.7 billion.