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Malawi envoy commends Zimbabwe's support for stranded nationals at Beitbridge
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Malawi's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, General (Retired) Peter Namathanga, on Tuesday visited Beitbridge Border Post to assess Zimbabwe's response to the growing number of Malawian nationals returning from South Africa amid rising anti-migrant tensions.
During the visit, the ambassador toured the transit facilities, immigration clearing points and the bus terminal, where thousands of Malawians are passing through on their journey home.
He also met immigration officials, health personnel and Malawian nationals awaiting onward transportation to Malawi.
Speaking after the tour, Ambassador Namathanga praised the Zimbabwean Government for facilitating the transit of Malawian returnees.
"I appreciate the services being provided here. Zimbabwe has opened its doors and made the transit smooth for our people coming from South Africa. This shows good neighbourliness," he said.
The ambassador said many Malawians had chosen to leave South Africa following escalating anti-migrant tensions and were using Zimbabwe as the main transit route back home by road.
He revealed that the South African government had also provided buses to assist in transporting Malawian nationals through Zimbabwe.
According to Ambassador Namathanga, Malawi had, as of Monday, repatriated more than 4,000 of its citizens from South Africa.
"These are mainly coming from KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape provinces in South Africa. There is a lot of pressure, and a lot of Malawians have returned independently, while the Government is also helping others. The exercise is daunting, but we appreciate the state of preparedness on the ground," he said.
He said the Malawian Government would continue working closely with Zimbabwean authorities to ensure the safe and orderly movement of its nationals through the country.
Zimbabwe's Head of Immigration for the Southern Region, Joshua Chibundu, said border officials were processing an average of 18 buses carrying Malawian nationals each day.
"We are processing at least 18 buses going to Malawi daily. Our officers are working long hours to clear travellers fast and keep movement orderly," he said.
Chibundu said immigration officers were verifying travel documents, assisting families travelling with children and coordinating with health officials and other border agencies to facilitate the movement of returnees.
Some of the Malawian nationals passing through Beitbridge expressed gratitude to both governments for assisting them during their journey home.
"We are moving in groups," said one traveller from Blantyre. "Zimbabwe's help makes the journey less stressful."
The movement of Malawian nationals through Beitbridge comes amid heightened uncertainty in South Africa following renewed anti-immigration protests, which have prompted thousands of foreign nationals from several countries to return home voluntarily or through government-assisted repatriation programmes.
During the visit, the ambassador toured the transit facilities, immigration clearing points and the bus terminal, where thousands of Malawians are passing through on their journey home.
He also met immigration officials, health personnel and Malawian nationals awaiting onward transportation to Malawi.
Speaking after the tour, Ambassador Namathanga praised the Zimbabwean Government for facilitating the transit of Malawian returnees.
"I appreciate the services being provided here. Zimbabwe has opened its doors and made the transit smooth for our people coming from South Africa. This shows good neighbourliness," he said.
The ambassador said many Malawians had chosen to leave South Africa following escalating anti-migrant tensions and were using Zimbabwe as the main transit route back home by road.
He revealed that the South African government had also provided buses to assist in transporting Malawian nationals through Zimbabwe.
According to Ambassador Namathanga, Malawi had, as of Monday, repatriated more than 4,000 of its citizens from South Africa.
He said the Malawian Government would continue working closely with Zimbabwean authorities to ensure the safe and orderly movement of its nationals through the country.
Zimbabwe's Head of Immigration for the Southern Region, Joshua Chibundu, said border officials were processing an average of 18 buses carrying Malawian nationals each day.
"We are processing at least 18 buses going to Malawi daily. Our officers are working long hours to clear travellers fast and keep movement orderly," he said.
Chibundu said immigration officers were verifying travel documents, assisting families travelling with children and coordinating with health officials and other border agencies to facilitate the movement of returnees.
Some of the Malawian nationals passing through Beitbridge expressed gratitude to both governments for assisting them during their journey home.
"We are moving in groups," said one traveller from Blantyre. "Zimbabwe's help makes the journey less stressful."
The movement of Malawian nationals through Beitbridge comes amid heightened uncertainty in South Africa following renewed anti-immigration protests, which have prompted thousands of foreign nationals from several countries to return home voluntarily or through government-assisted repatriation programmes.
Source - The Herald
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