Mzuzu youth are calling on government to restrict travel to South Africa, saying repatriation of 10,000 stranded Malawians is being undermined as others continue crossing the border daily.
In a letter dated June 2026 to Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito, Caucus Chairperson Gomezgani Nkhoma says about 400 Malawians are still crossing into South Africa every day, a situation he warns is undermining repatriation efforts.
Nkhoma says resources meant for emergency evacuation are being stretched as more people continue to travel despite the ongoing crisis.
“Thousands are now left stranded, urgently seeking the government’s intervention. And since both government and well-wishers will continue coughing hard-earned resources to repatriate our countrymen, we are pleading for urgent control measures,” Nkhoma writes.
South Africa remains a key destination for Malawian job seekers, traders, and students while the Northern Region, where the caucus is based, has historically recorded high levels of outbound migration.
The Caucus is proposing a K2 million travel bond for anyone intending to travel to South Africa, arguing the measure would reduce non-essential travel while allowing verified business, education, and medical cases to proceed.
They further want government to introduce stricter border controls, including facial and fingerprint recognition systems at key entry points to track repeat irregular migrants who have previously been repatriated.
The Caucus further urged the Homeland and Transport ministries to monitor bus operators and ticketing agents in an effort to flush out those that carry undocumented travelers.
Nkhoma is also urging government to engage regional partners through SADC on issues of border security, human trafficking, and youth welfare.
“By tightening border regulations, your ministry will not only protect vital national resources but also save the lives and preserve the dignity of Malawi’s youth,” the letter reads.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Government has expanded its evacuation efforts, deploying 55 buses to South Africa in a major repatriation drive aimed at bringing home citizens caught up in the ongoing crisis.
