Fast-Tracking Deportation Process At Sherwood

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has moved swiftly to accelerate the deportation process of thousands of Malawian nationals at Sherwood, engaging senior government stakeholders to unlock bottlenecks and ensure the expedited processing of cases.

Mayor Xaba yesterday, 16 June, visited the Sherwood site to assess progress in the processing of more than 6 000 individuals who are due to be deported.

The process was initially led by Malawian authorities, who were facilitating voluntary repatriation.

However, after it became evident that progress was slower than anticipated, the South African Government assumed responsibility and initiated a formal deportation process.

Under South African immigration laws, deportation requires each undocumented foreign national to be processed individually.

This includes identity verification, the issuing of the necessary legal documentation, and appearance before a court to ensure compliance with due process and the protection of constitutional rights.

Once these legal requirements have been met, deportation can proceed.

To accelerate the process, one court has already been established at the Sherwood site.

Mayor Xaba is engaging the Department of Justice to establish two additional courts dedicated exclusively to processing these matters.

This intervention is intended to increase capacity and expedite the handling of cases.

The Department of Home Affairs has committed to deploying additional officials to support the courts and ensure the efficient processing of all cases.

To date, four buses carrying deportees have departed the site en route to Malawi.

Officials continue to work round the clock to process outstanding cases and facilitate the departure of six additional buses currently stationed at the site.

Mayor Xaba reaffirmed the Municipality’s commitment to supporting national government departments and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the process is conducted efficiently, lawfully, and with due regard for the rights and dignity of those affected.