South Africa Establishes Priority Courts to Deport Malawian Nationals

South African authorities have established virtual and physical priority courts in Durban to fast-track the deportation of undocumented Malawian nationals. The move follows violent clashes on June 17 at the Sherwood Park and Community Hall transit sites, where approximately 10,000 migrants had gathered to flee xenophobic violence. Protesters pelted police and government vehicles with stones and bricks, prompting the South African Police Service to deploy stun grenades, rubber bullets, and teargas to disperse the crowds.

To alleviate overcrowding and humanitarian risks, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba activated a second temporary staging area at the Durban Drive-Inn. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that 1,876 Malawian nationals were residing in the country in contravention of immigration laws. Under South African law, each individual must be processed by a court before formal deportation, a requirement that caused the delays sparking the unrest.

Repatriation efforts are ongoing in coordination with the Government of Malawi, which has appealed for donations to fund transport. While 676 individuals initially returned via voluntary repatriation, authorities have now shifted to formal deportation orders. By June 18, approximately 1,458 people had been deported, with Malawian officials reporting 560 departures on Wednesday and 700 scheduled for Thursday. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since met with religious leaders to discuss a broader five-step migration plan to address rising anti-migration sentiment nationwide.