Scores of Malawian migrants taking refugee at a Sherwood sports ground in Durban whilst waiting to be processed before they can board buses to their hometowns in Malawi.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
Hundreds of Malawian nationals awaiting deportation from Durban have expressed frustration and disappointment, claiming they are being treated unfairly despite contributing to South Africa's economy and creating employment opportunities.
Speaking from a makeshift shelter in Sherwood, Durban, where they were gathered while waiting to board buses that would transport them home, several migrants requested anonymity.
One man, who said he had lived in South Africa for 14 years, revealed that he owns a construction company that employs six South Africans on a full-time basis.
He rejected claims that foreign nationals are responsible for a shortage of jobs in the country.
"For many years, I have used my company to earn a living and help the South Africans I employ support their families. I wonder what will happen to them now that their employer has been forced to leave," he said.
He added that better economic opportunities had attracted him to South Africa and insisted that he had not engaged in any illegal activities. He said it was painful to be grouped together with individuals who break the law.
While accepting that deportation was now inevitable, he warned that South Africans would eventually realise the consequences of expelling migrants who had been contributing positively to the economy.
"I'm telling you, you'll regret expelling us. Maybe you won't see it now, but after we leave, you'll realise that a mistake was made by removing people who were doing good work in this country," he said.
Another Malawian national echoed those sentiments, saying he had earned a living by building roofs for houses and had been in South Africa for two years.
He said he believed South Africans would come to regret the treatment of migrants, adding that the manner in which they were being handled made it seem as though they had committed serious crimes.
Although he had worked and lived peacefully in the country, he said he was troubled by what he described as widespread hostility towards foreign nationals.
"This is something that confuses us because we are Africans too," he said.
He also criticised the Malawian government, accusing it of failing to provide adequate support to citizens facing deportation and showing little urgency in assisting their return home.
Tensions flared at a temporary shelter in Sherwood as Malawian migrants resisted deportation processing and raised concerns about living conditions, prompting police to intervene. Complaints centred on accommodation standards and the quality of food provided.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
He said many of those awaiting deportation were angry and felt they were being treated "like dogs".
Another migrant, who said he had been in South Africa for only three months, explained that he had come to the country simply to seek a better life, like many others.
Some of those housed at the Sherwood shelter also complained about living conditions, describing the accommodation as unhygienic. Others expressed dissatisfaction with the quantity and quality of food being provided.
On Thursday, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba visited the shelter and said the municipality was working with various government departments and agencies to ensure that the deportation process proceeded smoothly.
Earlier, Malawian nationals were seen lining up with their luggage as officials conducted a roll call before they boarded buses for the journey home.
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