The KwaZulu-Natal government has expressed concern over delays in the repatriation of undocumented Malawian nationals, saying the situation is placing increasing pressure on provincial resources and authorities.
Undocumented migrants continue to gather at designated sites while awaiting assistance to return to Malawi, prompting calls for faster intervention from the Malawian government.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, criticised what he described as insufficient efforts by the Malawian embassy to facilitate the voluntary return of its citizens.
"They are not doing justice to our province," Ntuli said.
He argued that the embassy should be providing more buses to transport Malawian nationals who have expressed a willingness to return home.
According to the Premier, it is believed that approximately 99 percent of the Malawian nationals currently gathered at the Sherwood site are undocumented.
"They know they are in the country illegally, but are slow in arranging enough transport," he said.
Ntuli added that the delays are prolonging the situation and causing unnecessary hardship for those seeking to return to Malawi.
Meanwhile, the Premier stressed that South Africa's laws must be applied equally to everyone as tensions mount ahead of the 30 June deadline set by some groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
He also cautioned against any actions that could threaten public order during planned demonstrations linked to illegal immigration concerns.
At the same time, authorities are monitoring a new camp that has emerged in Pietermaritzburg, where a group of Malawian nationals has gathered following the recent murder of a fellow Malawian in the Jika Joe informal settlement.
The incident occurred after a march from Dales Park to Pietermaritzburg City Hall. It is understood that following the march, a group broke away and proceeded to the informal settlement after reports surfaced that a local resident had allegedly been killed by a foreign national.
Police have confirmed that an investigation into the murder is underway.
The developments come amid growing debate over illegal immigration, community safety and the management of undocumented migrants in KwaZulu-Natal.