By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, led a delegation to the KwaZulu Royal House to meet with His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
She was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka and the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.
The meeting was a critical intervention where she and the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on migration engaged with the King and Amakhosi regarding regional security and the repatriation of Malawian nationals.
King Misuzulu said the country’s image was not good in the rest of Africa, but the situation was not South Africa’s fault.
“We do not want anyone without papers in this country, because we also cannot go to their countries without papers,” King Misuzulu said.
“I’m asking you, Zulus, let no blood be shed. Do not hit people. Suffering brought them here. Just as we suffer…,” said King Misuzulu.
“I spoke to Phakel’umthakathi (Nkosikhona Ndabandaba) and Ngizwe (Mchunu). No one must be beaten. No one wants to feel pain.”
Following the discussion, Kubayi and the King’s delegation conducted an on-site inspection of the repatriation progress taking place in Sherwood, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Kubayi said, the number of undocumented Malawian migrants repatriated back to the country has risen to 5 000.
The Malawian government commissioned buses to transport their citizens home, with another 2,000 set to leave tonight.
President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with Malawian President Peter Mutharika to address the voluntary repatriation of approximately 10,000 Malawian nationals.
The talks were prompted by mounting pressures and fears of anti-immigrant sentiment, with many Malawians gathering in holding camps—such as the Sherwood Park site in Durban—waiting to return home.
The provincial government received reports that a march attended by more than 2,000 participants commenced at Dales Park and concluded at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall without incident.
However, at the end of the march, a group broke away and proceeded to the informal settlement, where a Malawian national was killed, two others sustained serious injuries and were subsequently hospitalised.
Dimpane, has called for calm and adherence to the laws of the country, urging people to march peacefully as they protest against undocumented immigration.
Meanwhile SAPS in Johannesburg are investigating a burglary at the residence of suspended SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Supply Chain Management, Lieutenant General Molefe Isaac Fani.
According to preliminary information, unknown suspects gained access to the property and stole gadgets (including his laptop).
The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation, and no arrests have been made at this stage. A case of housebreaking and theft has been opened for further investigation.