Government relocates Malawian nationals from Durban to Limpopo processing centre

Malawian nationals at Durban's Drive-In site will be relocated to Musina as government streamlines repatriation efforts.

eThekwini Municipality has announced that Malawian nationals currently housed at the Durban Drive-in temporary repatriation site will be moved to a new facility in Musina, Limpopo.

This comes after the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration took a decision on June 26 to relocate all processing of Malawian nationals from the Durban drive-in temporary repatriation site in eThekwini to a newly established temporary repatriation processing centre in Musina, Limpopo.

The committee said the move forms part of a coordinated national approach to manage irregular migration and to speed up verification, processing and voluntary repatriation through the Beitbridge port of entry.

According to the municipality, the new site has been established to:

*Enhance the verification and processing of undocumented foreign nationals.*Facilitate faster and more efficient repatriation through the Beitbridge Port of Entry.*Reduce pressure on existing repatriation facilities and improve overall operational efficiency.

"National government has confirmed that more than 15,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed for deportation and voluntary repatriation, while verification of additional individuals continues.

"The relocation process is being led by the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the relevant national departments, with support from the affected spheres of government within their respective mandates".

The Municipality added that it " will continue to support and coordinate with the relevant national departments and stakeholders, within its mandate, to facilitate the implementation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee's decision".

"The Municipality continues to engage with the relevant national departments and stakeholders as operational plans are being finalised.

"The Durban drive-in temporary repatriation site will be decommissioned once all operational arrangements have been finalised and the relocation process has been successfully concluded"

The municipality also said that the relocation will be carried out in coordination with the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the Department of Transport and other relevant stakeholders.

It said residents are urged to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation while government authorities finalise and implement the relocation plan.

eThekwini Municipality has announced that Malawian nationals currently housed at the Durban Drive-in temporary repatriation site will be moved to a new facility in Musina, Limpopo.