Some Malawian nationals say they are relieved to be returning home after spending the night at a bus depot in Lenasia South in Johannesburg.
The group, travelling from KwaZulu-Natal, arrived at the depot for a scheduled rest stop and driver exchange after drivers raised safety concerns about continuing the trip to Pretoria and then Malawi.
Their departure comes amid growing anti-immigration protests across parts of the country ahead of a self-imposed 30 June deadline set by some anti-immigrant groups.
Malawian national, Singano Chisale, says he came to South Africa in search of work to support his family but struggled to secure employment because he did not have a valid work permit.
“I come here in 2024….we come here so that we can get the job so we can support our family – things are tough. We don’t even have work because of the working permit, we don’t have working permits.”
Another Malawian national, John Zadi, says while he understands that South Africans are raising concerns about undocumented migration, he believes Africans should continue to support one another.
“This situation I don’t like it because we are Africans but we understand because this is not our country, but we are Africans.”
The presence of the buses at the depot caught many residents off guard.
Some resident in Lenasia say community members were not informed that the depot would be used as a temporary stop for the migrants.
Other residents says the community is not opposed to migrants, but wants everyone entering the country to do so legally.
“We are not saying we are chasing people away from South Africa but it’s fair enough that people must be with proper details when they arrive in South Africa.”
Following the departure of the 17 buses, calm has returned to the area.
Residents say they remain vigilant and will continue monitoring developments in their community.
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