Malawi to evacuate its citizens from South Africa over xenophobic attacks

Malawi has deployed six buses to evacuate its citizens from South Africa, following xenophobic attacks witnessed in the coastal city of Durban, government spokesman Kondwani Nankhumwa said Wednesday.

Nankhumwa said the government had released 65,000 U.S. dollars to hire six buses in South Africa to transport its nationals who wish to return home.

"The government is committed to ensuring that all Malawians who have been affected by recent xenophobic attacks will return home safe and sound," the spokesman affirmed.

These buses will return these individuals to Malawi on Sunday and they will probably be stationed in two centers; one in Lilongwe and another in the southern city of Blantyre, he said.

"The government will also organize transport for those repatriated to return to their homes," Nankhumwa added.

According to the latest statistics from the Malawian Embassy in South Africa, about 420 Malawians have been affected by the xenophobic attacks and are living in temporary refugee camps in South Africa.

Three Malawi nationals were seriously injured in the violence, and the government spokesman expressed fears that the number could rise.