Hundreds of Malawian nationals, including dozens of children, have spent days sleeping outside the Malawian consulate in Sandton as they wait for buses to take them home, saying they fear for their safety and have nowhere else to go.
By Sunday, about 261 people, including 31 children, had gathered outside the consulate after deciding to leave South Africa earlier than planned. Many said they had been sleeping on the pavement since Friday while waiting for assistance from Malawian authorities.
The area outside the consulate has become a makeshift camp, with suitcases, blankets, black refuse bags, food containers and clothing scattered across the pavement. Babies cried as families tried to shelter from the winter cold, while women sat on the concrete comforting their children.
