The eThekwini Municipality has announced that Malawian nationals currently housed at the Durban Drive-In temporary repatriation site will be relocated to a newly established Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina, Limpopo.
The decision was taken by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration on Friday as part of government’s efforts to manage irregular migration and accelerate voluntary repatriation processes.
According to the municipality, the Musina facility has been established to improve the verification and processing of undocumented foreign nationals, facilitate quicker repatriation through the Beitbridge Port of Entry, and reduce pressure on existing repatriation facilities.
The relocation follows a significant increase in the number of Malawian nationals requiring humanitarian assistance and repatriation.
Government says more than 15,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed for deportation and voluntary repatriation, while the verification of additional individuals is continuing.
The relocation process will be led by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration and relevant national departments, with support from the affected spheres of government.
The eThekwini Municipality says it will continue working with national departments and other stakeholders to implement the decision within its mandate.
Once the relocation has been completed, the Durban Drive-In temporary repatriation site will be decommissioned.
The municipality said the relocation is being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Transport, the South African Police Service and other stakeholders to ensure the process is conducted safely, orderly, humanely and in accordance with the law.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation and allow the responsible authorities to carry out the relocation process.
