Hundreds of Malawian nationals gathered outside their consulate general in Woodmead, Johannesburg, yesterday (June 27), saying they had been left stranded after allegedly being forced to leave their homes and jobs ahead of a June 30 deadline, reports Sandton Chronicle. 

The deadline, announced by community activist groups ahead of planned protests over undocumented foreign nationals, has prompted fears among some migrant communities. 

The crowd, which included five pregnant women and children as young as three weeks old, spent the night outside the diplomatic mission hoping for assistance to return to Malawi. Many said they had travelled from different parts of Johannesburg after being told they could no longer remain in the areas where they had been living. 

Speaking on behalf of the group, James Mackie said they had turned to the consulate because they had nowhere else to turn. “We are stranded. We are chased from the areas where we are staying. The owners of the houses told us we are not supposed to stay there before the 30th. We came here because this is the office of our ambassador from Malawi, hoping we could get help to go back home.” 

Stranded without work 

He said the group first arrived at the premises the previous day but had not yet been told how or when they would be assisted. “We are just sitting here and waiting. We have ladies, children and pregnant women sleeping outside. We don’t know what will happen to us.” 

According to Mackie, many of those gathered lost their jobs after employers allegedly told them they could no longer work because they lacked the necessary documentation. “They told us that after we fix our papers we can come back, but getting documents in South Africa is expensive and not easy.” 

Mackie also alleged that some members of the community had been intimidated and attacked in the areas where they lived. He stressed that the group is not asking for money but simply wants transport back to Malawi. 

“That’s all we need. If transport is available, we can go. We don’t know what will happen on that day. We are outside with no security and no protection. We are asking anyone who can help us to please help us get back home.” 

Another citizen, Hawa Hassan (22), said many had unexpectedly lost both their jobs and accommodation. “The children and the pregnant women are suffering the most. We are waiting for food and water, but what we really need are buses to take us back to Malawi.” 

She confirmed that she did not have legal documentation to remain in South Africa and hoped to return home to begin the process of obtaining the necessary travel documents before considering returning legally in future. The group remains outside the consulate awaiting assistance. 

Community comes to aid  

In a follow-up story published later yesterday afternoon, Sandton Chronicle said local residents, churches and aid organisations had mobilised to provide emergency food, blankets and water in response to the growing humanitarian situation. 

Volunteer groups had also begun co-ordinating alternative, temporary accommodation to move women and children safely off the streets at night. 

Localpolice and diplomatic officials remained on-site to monitor the situation and assess what further state and repatriation assistance might be required. 

KZN leadership fights panic, fake news 

Meanwhile, as anxieties grows across provinces, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has urged the public not to spread fake news ahead of the planned protest, reports The Witness. 

Police have also warned communities against taking the law into their own hands and acting as vigilantes.  

Ntuli said the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content on social media could fuel panic and unrest, with devastating consequences for local residents. 

“I plead with you not to be instigators of violence by sharing inflammatory videos, messages that incite violence, misinformation or disinformation. If violence erupts and property is destroyed, it is us, our children and our families who will suffer the aftermath,” he said. 

He reminded delegates that many businesses never recovered from the July 2021 unrest, while thousands of jobs were permanently lost. 

“We still have the trauma of what happened back then and we cannot afford to experience a repeat,” Ntuli said. 

Police warn against street justice 

Acting KZN police commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba urged community safety structures to support law enforcement by reporting crime rather than confronting suspects. 

“When you see criminal activities happening or learn of any planned crime, do not confront the suspects,” she said. “Yours is to provide information to the police, and the police will act.” 

Makoba said the recent killing of community patrollers in Inanda illustrated the dangers of vigilantism. She warned that community structures could not claim to support police while breaking the law. 

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