Malawian migrants returning home from South Africa have alleged they were forced to pay cash to officials after crossing into Mozambique, with several claiming passengers without money were removed from buses.
Image: BHEKI RADEBE/ ANA Pictures
Malawian migrants returning home from South Africa have alleged they were forced to pay "fines" while crossing into Mozambique on their journey to Malawi.
Speaking to IOL, several Malawians claimed that after their bus crossed into Mozambique, officials boarded the vehicle and demanded money.
"We were okay when leaving South Africa, but as soon as our bus entered Mozambique, they came in and started asking why we didn't have proper papers and other questions. They then asked for money - at least R200. Those who didn't have it were taken off the bus and kept in a room. We are not sure what happened to them," said Ebrahim, a migrant who had lived in South Africa for more than 10 years.
He said he fled South Africa fearing for his safety, leaving behind his South African wife and children.
His account of Mozambican officials allegedly demanding cash was corroborated by several other passengers travelling on the same bus.
"Yes, they asked for money and we had to give them whatever we had. We tried to explain our situation, which they already knew because everyone knows what's happening in South Africa. But we could see they were taking a chance and taking advantage of us," said Musa, another Malawian who fled South Africa on the same bus.
However, Imtiaz Sooliman of humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said anyone subjected to extortion was not part of the official repatriation programme.
"Every Malawian and Zimbabwean who left the camps we were involved with came through Musina. If they left on their own, they had no government protection," said Sooliman.
Official figures show that just over 15,000 Malawians have left South Africa since 25 June, although the true number is believed to be substantially higher when those who departed voluntarily are included.
Thousands more Malawians remain in South Africa awaiting repatriation.
The eThekwini Municipality has since closed the repatriation site in Durban, redirecting processing and deportation efforts to Musina in Limpopo. Malawians make up the majority of those seeking repatriation.
IOL News