K24.7bn could fly returnees home, Malondera argues

The K24.7 billion repatriation bill has triggered questions over value for money, with legislator arguing that the amount could have funded air transport for Malawians stranded in South Africa. Lilongwe Nyanja Member of Parliament Steven Malondera has challenged the proposed allocation, saying the figure appears too high. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday after the presentation of a report by the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations, Malondera described the projected expenditure as excessive when compared to the number of people expected to benefit. The committee, chaired by Frank Mwenifumbo, reported that between 10,000 and 15,000 Malawians had been affected by anti-migrant attacks, with 6,239 already repatriated as of June 20, 2026. It estimated that K24.7 billion would be needed to complete the exercise. Malondera said the figures translate to an average cost of about K1.6 million per returnee, a calculation he believes raises questions about the proposed budget. “When you’re looking at some of these figures, they are figures which are alarming… the budgeted amount was K24 billion to repatriate about 15,000 Malawians. The average gives you about K1.6 million per person,” he said. He argued that commercial bus fares between Malawi and South Africa are significantly lower than the projected per-person expenditure, questioning whether administrative and logistical costs justify the difference. The lawmaker further claimed that some returnees were arriving home without the level of support expected despite the large sums earmarked for the operation, saying public funds must be used transparently and efficiently. Malondera proposed that government consider flying stranded Malawians home instead of relying largely on road transport, saying the estimated amount per person could comfortably cover commercial or chartered flights. “You can actually use the same amount to fly the citizens from South Africa… If we’re serious as a nation, we could charter an aircraft using the same amount,” he said, arguing that air transport would reduce travel time and spare vulnerable people from the hardships of a three-day bus journey. In its report, the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations recommended adequate funding for the repatriation programme while calling for tighter border controls, stronger migration enforcement, improved beneficiary verification and continued support from private institutions assisting Malawians fleeing xenophobic violence in South Africa. Lilongwe Nyanja Member of Parliament Steven Malondera has challenged the proposed allocation, saying the figure appears too high. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday after the presentation of a report by the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations, Malondera described the projected expenditure as excessive when compared to the number of people expected to benefit. The committee, chaired by Frank Mwenifumbo, reported that between 10,000 and 15,000 Malawians had been affected by anti-migrant attacks, with 6,239 already repatriated as of June 20, 2026. It estimated that K24.7 billion would be needed to complete the exercise. Malondera said the figures translate to an average cost of about K1.6 million per returnee, a calculation he believes raises questions about the proposed budget. “When you’re looking at some of these figures, they are figures which are alarming… the budgeted amount was K24 billion to repatriate about 15,000 Malawians. The average gives you about K1.6 million per person,” he said. He argued that commercial bus fares between Malawi and South Africa are significantly lower than the projected per-person expenditure, questioning whether administrative and logistical costs justify the difference. The lawmaker further claimed that some returnees were arriving home without the level of support expected despite the large sums earmarked for the operation, saying public funds must be used transparently and efficiently. Malondera proposed that government consider flying stranded Malawians home instead of relying largely on road transport, saying the estimated amount per person could comfortably cover commercial or chartered flights. “You can actually use the same amount to fly the citizens from South Africa… If we’re serious as a nation, we could charter an aircraft using the same amount,” he said, arguing that air transport would reduce travel time and spare vulnerable people from the hardships of a three-day bus journey. In its report, the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations recommended adequate funding for the repatriation programme while calling for tighter border controls, stronger migration enforcement, improved beneficiary verification and continued support from private institutions assisting Malawians fleeing xenophobic violence in South Africa. Sponsored