Thousands of Malawian nationals remain gathered at Sherwood Hall in Durban, awaiting repatriation transport back to Malawi following a surge in anti-migrant sentiment and public threats. Since early June 2026, the group has sought safety at the site after reports of targeted intimidation, with estimates from aid organisations and authorities suggesting the number of people on-site currently fluctuates between 4,500 and 10,000 individuals.
Coordination Of The Repatriation Process
The repatriation effort is being managed through coordination between the Malawian government and South African authorities, who began organising bus transport for citizens on 14 June. South African officials have clarified that individuals at the site are considered undocumented and must undergo formal processing, which has included some appearances at the Durban Magistrate’s Court to verify status ahead of departure.
Everywhere I go, people call me names. I am running away because it is not easy here in South Africa.
Many of those at the site have cited a climate of fear, triggered in part by an alleged unofficial June 30 deadline for foreign nationals to leave the country. Some migrants expressed that while they initially moved to South Africa for work and to support their families, the current environment has left them with no viable alternative but to return home.
Humanitarian Challenges And Conditions
Conditions at the Sherwood site have been described as dire, marked by severe overcrowding and limited access to essential services. Reports indicate that sanitation and food supplies have become significant concerns as the logistical burden of hosting thousands of people increases.
South African authorities have stated that they will not establish permanent refugee camps, opting instead to enforce established immigration and deportation procedures. The situation remains fluid as officials continue to manage the overflow of people and coordinate transit logistics across international borders.
Ongoing deportation proceedings and transport departures at the Sherwood site are expected to continue throughout the remainder of June.