Women and children first as Malawians head home

By Palesa Matlala

• Women and children were the first to board buses leaving Sherwood Hall after weeks of waiting for transport back to Malawi.

• Anti-illegal immigration group March and March has given Parliament 14 days to respond to demands for tougher action against undocumented migrants.

There were scenes of relief and excitement in Durban on Saturday as buses finally arrived to take Malawian nationals back home.

The group has been staying at Sherwood Hall for almost a month after seeking assistance to return to Malawi.

Women and children were given priority and boarded the first buses, while more vehicles are expected to return for the men.

One Malawian man watched as his wife and child prepared to leave.

“We are very happy. This is the beginning of the journey. We know the women and children will go first,” he said.

His wife said she could not wait to see her family again.

“Today I am very, very happy because I am going home,” she said.

“I have suffered for weeks. My baby was getting sick because of the cold weather. Now I can get help and be with my family again.”

Earlier in the day there were concerns about crowd control and whether the buses had all the necessary permits.

African National Congress Member of Parliament Imraan Subrathie said officials had confirmed that the buses passed roadworthiness checks and received the required cross-border permits.

He said authorities were concerned that large crowds could rush the buses when they arrived.

“We want the process to be orderly and safe for everyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, anti-illegal immigration group March and March has given Parliament 14 days to respond to a memorandum demanding action against undocumented migrants.

Supporters marched through Cape Town’s city centre to Parliament on Saturday.

The group is calling for undocumented foreign nationals to be deported and for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

In its memorandum, the organisation claimed undocumented migrants are taking jobs, occupying RDP houses and operating businesses without proper permits.

The group said people found to be in the country illegally should be processed according to the law and deported where necessary.

March and March has announced another protest planned for Sea Point on Youth Day.

Pictured above: Malawian nationals board buses at Sherwood Hall in Durban as they begin their journey home.

Image source: Supplied