By Wendy Mkandawire
A woman died this morning while being repatriated from South Africa after crossing the Mwanza border, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, DoDMA, has confirmed.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lilongwe, today 3 July 2026 ,DoDMA Commissioner Wilson Moleni said the woman was among returnees being brought back under the ongoing repatriation exercise.
“This morning we lost a second woman. She passed away after crossing the Mwanza border. We are in contact with the Mwanza District Health Office, DHO, to establish the cause of death and will provide further details in due course he explained.
Moleni further said that another incident occurred when some returnees became violent and Police contained the situation In response.
According to DoDMA they have stepped up security at the Mwanza reception centre to protect the retuneers who are coming from South Africa
Moleni also disclosed that DoDMA has so far been allocated close to K5 billion, with private partners contributing a further K2 billion.
“The money has gone directly towards hiring buses and purchasing food items for the returnees,” he said.
According to Moleni the operation is progressing well as they are working hand in hand with the government of Malawi, South African government, individual partners and private sectors.
The total amount committed so far stands at nearly K7 billion.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs DoDMA together with the partners are working hand in hand to help Malawians who faced xenophobic attacks in south Africa to return home, so far they have repatriated over 21,000 Malawians.
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Wendy Mkandawire is a journalist for Leyman Publications based in Lilongwe, Malawi. |
