Malawians’ night march in Johannesburg sparks outcry

A latest night-long avenue celebration by Malawians in Johannesburg has reignited debate over South Africa’s immigration enforcement.

A whole lot of Malawian nationals lately took to the streets in Johannesburg at to have fun the election of their president Peter Mutharika.

Circulating, movies present crowds dancing, chanting, and waving Malawi’s flag by way of the town’s CBD after Mutharika’s election victory.

South Africans query evening march by Malawians

The timing of the march, held after darkish, left many South Africans questioning whether or not contributors had been making an attempt to keep away from immigration officers who hardly ever conduct evening operations.

The celebration brought on site visitors chaos and drew complaints from residents who mentioned immigration officers had been absent in the course of the evening, permitting undocumented migrants to maneuver freely.

“Possibly one or two are documented… our nation is a joke!,” commented @Sinembali2023 on X.

Right here is how some South Africans reacted to Malawians’ celebrations:

@Thabiso_M: “So these folks can march freely on the town at midnight, and nobody asks for papers? Strive that as a South African in Malawi — you’ll see how briskly they deport you.”

@Nolwazi_K: “I’m not in opposition to folks celebrating their president, however why do it at evening and block roads? This nation already feels lawless.”

@KgosiTheReal: “If House Affairs labored correctly, we’d know what number of of them are literally right here legally. Each celebration turns into an immigration debate as a result of nobody enforces the legislation.”

4. @Sindi_N: “They’re courageous sufficient to take over the CBD at evening, however in the course of the day they conceal from police. That tells you all the things.”

@Jabu_Ndlovu: “As a substitute of celebrating elections from one other nation, they need to repair their residence first. South Africa is just not a refugee camp.”

Locals expressed frustration, saying the authorities appear powerless to manage such gatherings.

Many consider South Africa’s lenient immigration enforcement fuels unlawful migration from neighboring nations.

Malawians in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is residence to a big Malawian group. A lot of them make a residing by way of casual buying and selling.

They promote fruits, greens, second-hand garments, cellphone equipment in busy areas such because the CBD, Hillbrow, and Yeoville.

Through the years, Malawians have constructed tight-knit communities, usually sharing lodging and pooling sources to assist households again residence.

Celebrating the brand new president

Mutharika, who’s now 85, took oath because the seventh president of Malawi on Saturday.

Mutharika’s inauguration in Lilongwe marks a surprising political turnaround.

The courts annulled his disputed re-election, ending his first time period, which lasted from 2014 to 2020.

This time, he secured victory with about 56% of the vote, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who garnered 33%.