More than 3000 Malawian nationals deported in South Africa following widespread anti-immigration pro

(19 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Durban, South Africa - 19 June 2026 1. Various of Malawian migrants gathered with belongings on a street 2. Close of sign on repatriation bus window 3. Wide of police officers overseeing Malawian migrants boarding a bus 4. Mid of journalists interviewing Stella Ndau, High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Stella Ndau, High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa: "Since the repatriation started, we have 1,549 that have arrived in Malawi. We have about 1,260 that are en route, and we also have 700 that were deported. So in total we have 3,509 Malawians that have been repatriated and also with the assistance of the South African government, 700 that have gone to Malawi." 6. Various of Malawian migrant wrapping his luggage 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Stella Ndau, High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa: "As of today, we've sent 23 buses and today we are loading seven, making a total of 30, and tomorrow we are expecting to have another seven buses. Now we are seeing some progress because as the government made an appeal for assistance in terms of repatriation of our citizens, we have seen a response from our private sector who are sponsoring some buses in order to take the citizens back home." 8. Various of Malawian migrants gathering with belongings 9. Various of Malawian migrants gathered in a makeshift camp 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Pearson Kaunda, Malawian national: "So South Africa, I'm telling you is so bad just now. So we're supposed to go home, you can't live here like that." 11. Various of Malawian migrants gathered in a makeshift camp 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Namu Khaleso, Malawian National: "I’m here because I don't have money to go home because the way they tell me that I don't have a job. How I lost my job is so painful for me and I was not having anything, any money that I can go home. That's why I'm here, to come to wait here for the free transport because I don't have any money for, that I can take my own, bus fare." 13. Various of Malawian migrants in the makeshift camp STORYLINE: More than 3000 Malawian nationals have been deported in South Africa after thousands protested earlier this year in Johannesburg and other parts of the country against illegal immigration that has fueled tensions between locals and foreign nationals. Stella Ndau, High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa said: "Since the repatriation started, we have 1,549 that have arrived in Malawi. We have about 1,260 that are en route, and we also have 700 that were deported, so in total we have 3,509 Malawians that have been repatriated and also with the assistance of the South African government 700 that have gone to Malawi." South Africa started building a second temporary deportation center on Thursday to process the repatriation of Malawians. The new site is meant to alleviate the unfolding crisis that has seen women and young children packed in the overcrowded site with thousands of men. Meanwhile, thousands more Malawian nationals arrived at the first deportation center, also in the city of Durban, in an area known as Sherwood, where an estimated 10,000 have been camping for more than a week, waiting to be sent home. Pearson Kaunda who is a Malawian National and has been residing in South Africa for over 10 years told The Associated Press things are not good in the country. "South Africa, I'm telling you is so bad just now. So we're supposed to go home, you can't live here like that." =========================================================== Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...