Lead

About 500 Malawian nationals, mostly women and children, remain stranded in Johannesburg after buses meant to repatriate them to Malawi were stopped at the border due to missing permits. The group, which had fled violence in Pietermaritzburg, was dropped at the Malawian consulate in Sandton on the weekend instead of being taken across the border, according to reports from AllAfrica.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called the operation unlawful and ordered an investigation into who commissioned the private buses. Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, who lives in Malawi after South Africa's extradition request was blocked, publicly took credit for the operation on his verified Facebook page.

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from AllAfrica provide overlapping but distinct accounts of the incident. The first focuses on the legal and investigative angle, emphasizing Justice Minister Kubayi's condemnation of the buses as "unlawful" and "inhumane," and highlighting Prophet Bushiri's role. The second report centers on the humanitarian situation of the stranded individuals, detailing their temporary shelter at a church and the efforts of NGOs and government authorities to assist them.

Both reports agree on the core facts: hundreds of Malawians were left stranded after private buses failed to secure the necessary permits to cross the border. However, the first report places greater emphasis on the political and legal implications, including the involvement of a controversial religious figure, while the second offers more detail on the ground conditions and the response from community organizations.

Key Claims

  • Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi called the private buses that left Malawian nationals stranded at a Johannesburg church unlawful and has ordered an investigation into who commissioned them.
  • Prophet Shepherd Bushiri publicly took credit for commissioning the buses on his verified Facebook page, saying his ministry was assisting with voluntary repatriation.
  • The displaced Malawians had fled Pietermaritzburg after a 29-year-old Malawian man was stoned to death at the Jika Joe informal settlement on 19 June, following an anti-immigration march.
  • About 500 Malawians, mostly women and children, were left stranded due to permit issues with the buses meant to repatriate them.
  • Seven buses from Cape Town and Durban dropped passengers at the Malawian consulate in Sandton instead of taking them home.
  • The group has since found temporary shelter at a church, while authorities work to finalise their journey home.
  • Justice Minister Kubayi said all buses processed through official government channels are escorted by law enforcement to the border.

Perspectives

Government Response

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has taken a firm stance, labeling the private bus operation "unlawful" and "inhumane." She has ordered specialized teams to investigate who commissioned the buses, emphasizing that legitimate government repatriation buses are escorted by law enforcement all the way to the border. The Department of Home Affairs claims it was initially unaware of the situation, believing all repatriation buses had already left the country.

Humanitarian Situation

NGO representatives such as Tessa Dooms have been assisting the stranded group, providing food, water, and temporary shelter. The group was initially accommodated at a small church in Newlands, which proved too small, and was later moved to another church where they are being cared for by church leaders. Some babies have been born during the displacement and received medical assistance from Doctors Without Borders. According to Dooms, every migrant spoken to has expressed a clear desire to go home.

Prophet Bushiri's Role

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, who lives in Malawi after fleeing South Africa in 2020 while on bail facing fraud and money laundering charges, publicly claimed responsibility for commissioning the buses. He said his ministry secured buses to assist with voluntary repatriation after being asked by the Malawi Consulate in Johannesburg to help displaced nationals in Pietermaritzburg. He cited foreign exchange constraints as the reason for delayed payments to transport operators.

Community Concerns

The sudden arrival of hundreds of people in the Johannesburg suburb of Newlands raised concerns among local residents who gathered at the church, according to Dooms. The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions following anti-immigration violence in Pietermaritzburg, which prompted many Malawians to flee. The situation also highlights the challenges faced by the Department of Home Affairs in accommodating and processing thousands of immigrants in Durban.