Malawi to evacuate 3,200 nationals from S. Africa after 2 killed in xenophobic attacks

Two Malawians are confirmed dead while 3,200 are trapped following the South Africa's xenophobic attacks, Malawi government spokesperson Kondwani Nankhumwa disclosed on Monday.

Earlier, the Malawi government said over 400 Malawians were trapped in South Africa and that 6 buses had been hired to ferry the Malawi nationals from South Africa to Malawi; but later over the weekend, the figure rose to 1,050.

However, updating the local media Monday, Nankhumwa, who is also Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, said the figures had gone up as more camps in South Africa were being identified where foreigners including Malawian nationals were seeking refuge.

Nankhumwa said, "The government of Malawi is in the process of hiring 60 more buses to ferry the willing Malawians back home."

"Government has already sent 10 immigration officers to help in the repatriation process and the Principal Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation left the country over the weekend to prepare for the meeting that will be attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Chaponda."

The government spokesperson said following the rise in figures, the budget of repatriating Malawian nationals from South Africa had risen from the initial 65,000 U.S. dollars to 422,000 dollars.

Meanwhile, the first group of returnees arrived in Malawi Monday evening through the commercial city of Blantyre in the south while the subsequent groups were expected to arrive in the country from Tuesday and these groups, according to Nankhumwa, would be taken straight to their respective districts of origin.

The two Malawians who are reported to have lost their lives in the xenophobic attacks hailed from the lake shore district of Mangochi, according to government spokesperson.

The xenophobic attacks in South Africa have been criticized by many southern African countries and the international community at large.

Malawi President, Peter Mutharika, has condemned the attacks, described them as "uncalled for" and said he would meet South African President Jacob Zuma and SADC Chair, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe over the issue.

The anti migrant attacks in South Africa erupted following alleged remarks by a Zulu King that all foreigners should be deported from South Africa to create room for job exploitation to South Africans.

Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Mozambique and Nigeria are among the countries whose citizens have been affected by the attacks and they are seeking refuge in camps awaiting their respective governments' intervention. Endi