Malawians flock to Pietermaritzburg CBD site after mob attack leaves one dead

Malawian nationals have gathered at the Mayor’s Walk site in Pietermaritzburg after mob violence at the Jika Joe informal settlement left one dead and another seriously injured.

Image: Msunduzi Municipality / Facebook

Dozens of Malawian nationals have gathered at a site in Pietermaritzburg after mob violence led to one person being killed and another being seriously injured on Friday.

The mob attack on the Malawians living in the Jika Joe informal settlement came after the March and March movement had staged a protest on Friday against illegal immigration in the CBD.

Since then a stream of Malawian nationals have gathered at the Mayor's Walk site hoping to be repatriated. According to officials, the number of people at the site continues to grow as more and more people arrive.

The Msunduzi Municipality has now said that it was making arrangements to transport the group of Malawian nationals to the Lindela repatriation centre in Pretoria.

In a statement, the Msunduzi Municipality said government departments and partners are currently working together to provide the necessary support while the process of registration and profiling of the Malawian nationals is underway.

Mayor, Mzimkhulu Thebolla, led a delegation to the site to assess the situation first-hand and to receive an update on the interventions currently underway.

The municipality added that its immediate objective is to ensure that the site is closed within a period of no more than three days.

The Msunduzi Municipality said the process of registration for the Malawian nationals is underway.

Image: Msunduzi Municipality / Facebook

It said the current process of registration and profiling will assist in facilitating the necessary arrangements for the movement of the Malawian nationals to Lindela, where the relevant repatriation processes will be undertaken in line with government procedures.

“It is important to clarify that the area currently occupied by the Malawian nationals at the Mayor’s Walk site is not an official accommodation site and has not been designated or approved as a formal site by the municipality or any government authority. There is no formal settlement or permanent accommodation arrangement established at this location.

“However, due to the rapid growth in numbers and the need to safeguard the welfare of those at the site, the municipality has mobilised immediate support measures. JoJo tanks for water have been provided, security has been strengthened through a combined effort involving private security, municipal security, and the South African Police Service (SAPS), while arrangements have been made for temporary ablution facilities.

“Arrangements are also underway for buses to transport the Malawian nationals to Lindela as part of the planned repatriation processes. The municipality remains committed to handling this matter with compassion, dignity, and responsibility. At the same time, it must be emphasised that the Mayor’s Walk site is a temporary, informal arrangement and cannot serve as a long-term solution,” the municipality said.

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