Lindela Repatriation Centre Turns Away Buses After Reaching Capacity

The Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp turned away two buses carrying Malawian nationals last week after the facility reached capacity, AllAfrica reported. The centre is also facing emerging reports of poor living conditions, including hunger among those already inside. Weeks of demonstrations, intimidation and vigilante activity have displaced thousands of people across South Africa.

Many businesses have closed, while reports of threats, assaults and looting have surfaced in communities nationwide. Thousands of foreign nationals have fled their homes citing fears for their safety. Malawian nationals are being moved through a chain of facilities as part of repatriation efforts.

They are transferred first from the Malawi Consulate in Woodmead to the Lindela centre, then onward to the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre in Limpopo before crossing the border. Mary Banda, a Malawian national who had lived in Johannesburg's Slovo Park informal settlement since 2017, was transferred from the consulate to Lindela on 7 July 2026.