Mwanza, Malawi – A total of 490 Malawian nationals were deported from the Republic of South Africa through the Mwanza One Stop Border Post on Saturday, 8 November 2025, after violating the country’s immigration laws.
According to the Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, the deportees arrived aboard six buses from the Lindela Repatriation Centre. The group consisted of 472 men and 18 women who were received by officials from various government departments stationed at Mwanza.
Upon arrival, immigration officers addressed the group on the importance of observing proper travel and stay regulations when entering foreign countries to avoid future deportations. The officials also provided guidance on procedures to follow when seeking to travel legally to South Africa or other destinations.
Preliminary records from the department indicate that the majority of the deportees came from Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka and Thyolo districts, areas that have in recent years recorded high numbers of citizens travelling to South Africa in search of employment opportunities.
The department issued a reminder that being deported from another country does not render a Malawian passport invalid. The passport remains a legitimate travel document unless officially revoked by the authorities. Deportation only prevents the affected person from re-entering the country from which they were removed for a specified period.
Officials also warned citizens against destroying, altering or tampering with their passports, describing it as a serious offence since the document is classified as a national security asset that must be safeguarded at all times.
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