Malawi MPs Push for Targeted Crackdown on Undocumented Travel to South Africa

Parliament has been urged to impose a travel ban on Malawians attempting to sneak into South Africa for informal jobs, as MPs scramble to address a repatriation crisis that has swelled far beyond expectations.

The sharp recommendation came from the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations as the government struggles to bring home tens of thousands of stranded citizens. The true scale of the emergency has left even lawmakers stunned, according to the committee’s explosive report.

Presenting the findings to Parliament, committee vice‑chairman Frank Mwenifumbo stressed that the crackdown is not a blanket ban but targets undocumented travellers seeking informal work without valid passports.

“This ban is not a blanket ban; it is a ban for those who are going to South Africa to seek informal employment while undocumented, meaning they have not been issued a passport for them to legally enter, exit and enter South Africa,” he said.

Mwenifumbo said the move follows immigration officials admitting they cannot monitor citizens who slip out of the country through informal routes. The numbers are staggering: the government originally set aside K25 billion to repatriate 15,000 Malawians, but has already repatriated over 41,000 at a cost of K7 billion.

“Government has managed to beat its own budget. It has repatriated over 41,000 Malawians at a cost of K7 billion, compared to the K25 billion that had been budgeted to repatriate only 15,000 people,” he revealed.

Despite the surprising cost savings, the committee is demanding fresh Treasury funds to keep the repatriation drive going and insisting that every kwacha be scrutinised to prevent misuse.

In a fresh twist, Mwenifumbo alleged that foreign nationals have been hijacking Malawi’s repatriation programme, using it as a shortcut home at the expense of genuine Malawian citizens.

“What it simply means is that those that are not Malawians are depriving the bona fide Malawians of the opportunity to use the resources that government has provided, because they are not within the budget,” he fumed.

To stop the alleged abuse, the committee has ordered immigration and transport officials to conduct spot checks on buses bound for Malawi, interviewing passengers to confirm their citizenship before they board.

The committee also called for tighter border controls, insisting that Malawians traveling abroad must carry proper documentation in an effort to curb runaway repatriation costs and ensure aid reaches only those who truly need it.

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