HARARE - Malawi's outgoing ambassador to Zimbabwe, Peter Andrew Lapken Namathanga, has paid homage to authorities in Harare for providing seamless transit support during the repatriation of thousands of its nationals fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Speaking at a farewell event organised for him by Zimbabwe's Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Amon Murwira this Monday, Namathanga cited the logistical and humanitarian assistance provided to the Malawi returnees as top class.
Malawi's department of disaster management confirmed it repatriated more than 38 000 citizens from South Africa between June 7 and July 8 2026, as self-styled vigilante groups flushed out foreigners.
Most of the returnees passed through Beitbridge Border Post, making Zimbabwe a critical land corridor for the exodus.
Murwira said Zimbabwe will continue offering humanitarian assistance to the returnees as part efforts to strenghthen the two countries' bilateral relations.
Zimbabwe and Malawi have long shared history, culture, and people-to-people connections.