Malawians Repatriated from South Africa

76 Malawians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa have arrived in the country.

Out of them 14 are children.

Speaking when he received the people at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre, principal secretary in the department of disaster management affairs Wilson Moleni said those people expressed willingness to get back to Malawi out of the 113 displaced.

Moleni said government hired two buses to repatriate the victims because it is its responsibility to protect citizens.

“The whole repatriation process has cost 33 million kwacha,” said Moleni

Speaking with radio Islam, some of the victims with tears in their eyes said “we will never return to South Africa bearing in mind the torture they went through during xenophobic attacks.”

They have advised fellow Malawians deciding to go to South Africa in search of jobs, to reconsider their decisions.

They asked government to assist them with capital in order to start businesses so that they don’t return to South Africa.

Red Cross society partnered with government and provided blankets, sleeping mats, first aid, airtime as well as tents.

Red Cross communications and humanitarian diplomacy specialist Felix Washion said they provided the airtime for the people to communicate with their relatives.

Meanwhile, Youth and Society YAS has asked government to set aside a settlement package that will assist victims of xenophobic attacks.

Executive director of YAS Charles Kajoloweka said considering that the victims lost their belongings there is need for government to assist them with start-up capitals to sustain their lives.