Mutharika Uses Private South Africa Visit to Hold Telephone Call With Ramaphosa as Xenophobia Fears Escalate - Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times
President Peter Mutharika used the opportunity of his private visit to South Africa to hold a crucial telephone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with the worsening situation facing. . .
President Peter Mutharika used the opportunity of his private visit to South Africa to hold a crucial telephone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with the worsening situation facing Malawians amid xenophobia concerns dominating their discussions. Mutharika: Held talks with RamaphosaThe Malawi Government has confirmed that the two leaders spoke at a time when thousands of undocumented Malawians in South Africa are seeking to return home amid growing anxiety over anti-immigrant sentiments and uncertainty surrounding their future. Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda confirmed the talks, saying the presidents discussed measures to ensure that undocumented Malawians willing to return home are repatriated peacefully and in an orderly manner. “All we want is that Malawians who are coming back should be peacefully returned,” Chaponda said in a telephone interview. According to the minister, the two governments are coordinating logistical arrangements for the repatriation exercise while Malawi has also expressed concern over the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by informal anti-immigration groups in South Africa. Lilongwe has argued that it would be impossible to facilitate the return of all undocumented Malawians within such a limited timeframe. The high-level engagement underscores the urgency of the situation as Malawi steps up diplomatic efforts to safeguard its citizens while avoiding further tensions. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has publicly rejected claims that South Africa is a xenophobic nation, insisting that misleading narratives are damaging the country’s reputation. “There’s a lot of disinformation that is aimed at tarnishing the image of South Africa. We have explained fully the challenge that we have of immigration in our country,” Ramaphosa said during a televised interview. He revealed that he had recently spoken with Mutharika, saying the Malawian leader acknowledged the immigration pressures confronting South Africa and expressed understanding of those challenges. “And I spoke to the President of Malawi just a few days ago, and he said to me: ‘We understand the challenge and the problems that you are facing, and we are with you,’” Ramaphosa disclosed. The South African president added that his government intends to dispatch envoys to several African countries, including Malawi, to explain Pretoria’s position on immigration issues and counter what it views as misinformation surrounding the crisis. The discussions come as concern continues to mount over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, with several African governments closely monitoring developments. Malawi has already deployed members of a national task force to South Africa to assist citizens seeking voluntary repatriation and to coordinate with local authorities as efforts intensify to bring vulnerable Malawians back home safely. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :