Lilongwe, April 28, 2015: The number of Malawians who have died following xenophobia attacks in South Africa has reached 7, while a total of 3,526 people have been affected, Information, Tourism and Culture Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa disclosed Tuesday.
Nankhumwa told journalists in Lilongwe after he was briefed by the special committee tasked to look into the welfare of the xenophobia attacks victims in South Africa.
“The committee was giving an update on what is happening as far as the welfare of the victims of xenophobia is concerned,” said Nankhumwa. “Twenty-two buses are leaving South Africa today and twenty-two buses will leave on Thursday so that all affected individuals are brought home and receive necessary support.”
Nankhumwa added that the special budget for repatriating the Malawian men, women and children affected by the South African xenophobia attacks had been adjusted to MK339 million from MK190 million.
Nankhumwa said Government opted to use South African buses to repatriate the affected Malawians because they were cheaper compared to Malawian buses.
So far 14 South African buses have since ferried home hundreds of trapped Malawians.
