Malawians stranded in Beitbridge

Thousands of Malawian nationals are stranded in Beitbridge and the Government of Zimbabwe is not in a position to assist them as it is prioritizing repatriation of Zimbabweans to their home provinces, Mat South Minister of State Albert Nguluvhe has said.

Nguluvhe told Two Nations in a telephone interview that Government can only liaise with local transporters to ferry Malawians who can pay their bus fares to Nyamapanda Border Post.

“Government is pushing that all Zimbabweans returnees get to their respective provinces.

“Unfortunately there is nothing much we can do for our brothers other than liaise with local bus companies to ferry those who can pay to Nyamapanda Border Post,” said Nguluvhe.

The majority of the Malawian repatriates are gathered at Engen Service Station in the CBD.

Some Malawians told Two Nations that they were dumped in Musina and given each ZAR200 to continue with their journey back home.

Others said that they were told to leave their luggage in buses after being promised that the drivers would come back to pick them up.

“We boarded buses in different cities and were ordered to disembark at Shell Service Station in Musina. Each passenger was given ZAR200 to continue their journey. We are stranded,” said one Malawian.

“As for us we were not given anything. We were ordered to disembark at the border and told that the bus would follow us. It’s now over 12 hours since we were dropped off and the driver of the bus is no longer picking up our calls and our luggage is still in the bus,” said another passenger.

Beitbridge Ward 3 Councillor Takavingei Mahachi appealed to Government to ease migration policies and allow free rebates for repatriates.

“I am encouraging residents to accept repatriates as our friends and relatives and to be responsible for some. I am also appealing to Government to ease some policies to allow free and easy repatriation.

“Most are self-repatriating because of the June 30, 2026, deadline without following procedure. These people have properties and vehicles which Government must allow free rebate. Their return is not by choice but situation,” he said.