Deportees, mostly from southern Malawi, advised to follow legal migration procedures as authorities emphasize passport integrity.
By Burnett Munthali
Immigration authorities in the Republic of South Africa have deported 490 Malawian nationals through the Mwanza One Stop Border Post (OSBP) on Saturday, 8th November 2025.
The deportations were carried out after the individuals were found to have violated various South African immigration laws.
The group consisted of 472 men and 18 women, all of whom were repatriated aboard six buses from the Lindela Repatriation Centre.
Upon their arrival at the Mwanza OSBP, immigration officials provided counseling sessions emphasizing the importance of following proper immigration procedures.
The officials urged the deportees to ensure that future travels are done legally to avoid repeat incidents of deportation.
Preliminary reports show that a majority of the deported Malawians came from the districts of Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka, and Thyolo.
Authorities at the border post reiterated the government’s commitment to managing migration in a humane but lawful manner.
They also highlighted the need for civic education to inform Malawians about the legal requirements for traveling and working abroad.
In a side note, immigration officials clarified that being deported from a foreign country does not invalidate one’s Malawian passport.
They explained that a Malawian passport remains a valid travel document unless it has been officially revoked by the issuing authority.
Deportation, they added, only restricts the affected individuals from re-entering the country that deported them for a specified period.
Officials further reminded citizens that a passport is a national security document that must never be destroyed, altered, or tampered with under any circumstances.
The Malawi Immigration Department continues to urge citizens seeking employment abroad to use official channels and secure proper documentation before departure.
The photograph accompanying this report was taken by Sergeant Sophina Chibenthu, Public Relations Officer for the Mwanza One Stop Border Post.
These deportations remind us how important it is to follow proper migration procedures, and I feel for those affected. I hope they receive support and find safer, clearer paths in the future.