62 Malawians have been deported from Zimbabwe for violating various Immigration laws and Covid-19 lockdown guidelines.

The group arrived in the country through Mwanza border on Wednesday May 19th, 2021.

Despite border closures in the wake of Covid-19 global health crisis, the group indicated that they left Malawi using unchartered routes in March 2021 and they had no any travel documents.

Some were arrested at Beightbridge while the other group at Mutoko town whilst in transit to South Africa,

They have been in custody for 2 months at Harare Central Prison, Malawi Embassy officials in Harare facilitated their deportation in 2 buses fully sponsored by International Organisation for Migration [I.O.M].

Of the total number 52 were men, 9 women and 1 minor aged 7 months, Mangochi, Machinga and Mzimba districts dominates.

In a related development, the formation [Mwanza border] is expecting the arrival of 43rd batch comprising 9 buses with 504 Malawian returnees from South Africa

The buses are expected to arrive here at Mwanza today Thursday May 20th, 2021

According to the travel manifest forwarded by Foreign Affairs officials at Malawi Embassy in Pretoria indicates that women are 122, men 337 while minors are 45

As per government directive, all the returnees are suppose to have Covid-19 negative test results certificates before boarding the buses in South Africa

Upon arrival at this formation this evening all health protocols, border security checks, documents verification and goods clearance will be done here at Mwanza border.

Once all the processes and formalities are done, buses will be released to thier respective destinations countrywide.

Clearance of self repatriated Malawian nationals started at Mwanza border on 23rd May 2020 after Malawian nationals living in South Africa sounded SOS to government following the economic challenges they were facing due to impact of Covid-19 pandemic.