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390 repatriated Malawians arrive home

The first group of 390 Malawians repatriated from South Africa trooped out of the six hired buses under the darkness of Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre last night after spending about 48 hours on the road.xeno-9

There were mixed emotions of joy and tears.

One by one, they walked in a procession while the injured were immediately rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) for treatment. They were visibly tired, with some literally limping out of the buses.xeno5

A feeling of relief engulfed the air that they were finally home as memories of the horrendous experience they endured back in South Africa faded into the distance.xeno10

Their arrival brought to an end days of distress in which two of their compatriots were confirmed killed and several others seriously wounded. About 3 200 are still stranded awaiting their repatriation.xeno-8

Mostly aged between 18 and 30, some repatriated Malawians, others with babies as young as two months old, could be seen wiping tears of joy. In the group were also heavily pregnant women.

Yusuf Amidu, speaking on behalf of the group, thanked President Peter Mutharika for swiftly responding after learning about their situation.xeno-6

“We applaud the President for the prompt response to bring us home. But as we are speaking, thousands of our relations are still stranded. Please bring them back. They are being cruelly beaten and injured, others have been brutally killed without even knowing where their corpses are,” lamented Amidu.

He said about seven Malawians have reportedly been murdered and 17 seriously injured in the port city of Durban.Xeno-2xeno-4

After the screening process, they were taken to Blantyre Social Welfare centre at Kwacha where food and accommodation were arranged. They are expected to start going to their home villages this morning.Xeno-1

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa and Atupele Muluzi of Home Affairs and Internal Security led the welcoming event.xeno1

In their messages, the two ministers said the President was touched with the ordeal they went through and pledged to do everything possible to bring everyone back home.xeno-11

Nankhumwa also said five buses are expected to leave Durban this morning with more Malawians.xeno

He said: “We know this is the hardest moment in your lives that was why government quickly arranged for your repatriation. But be assured that government will do everything to ensure that the remaining Malawians are also repatriated. We will also make sure that you all reach you homes from here.”xeno12

In a related development, civil society organisations (CSOs) are this morning set to march to the South African High Commission in Lilongwe to present a petition against the attacks on Malawians and other nationals.

The CSOs have also questioned the silence by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) on the anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa.

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