A KwaZulu-Natal woman’s plan to cross the border with her Malawian lover using Mzansi’s voluntary repatriation process was crushed after officials uncovered her fake story.
The woman arrived at the Musina temporary repatriation site and told authorities that she was also a Malawian citizen. But her claims quickly raised suspicion when officials started asking questions.
According to Home Affairs Acting Chief Director Albert Matsaung, the woman was interviewed by different authorities working at the site before Malawian officials noticed that her story did not add up.
“We work with different authorities here who interviewed her,” said Matsaung.
“After the interview, Malawian authorities realised that the story does not add up,” he added.
The woman was then handed over to South African authorities, who confirmed that she was a Mzansi citizen.
Officials believe she had planned to use the voluntary repatriation process to leave the country with her lover, but her attempt was exposed before she could make the move.
Matsaung warned people not to misuse the process, saying it was not designed for South Africans wanting to leave the country without following the correct legal procedures.
“People wishing to visit other countries must not abuse this process,” he said.
“We are not trying to promote illegal immigration to other countries by our own citizens, so this process must not be abused,” Matsaung added.
He urged South Africans who want to visit other countries, including those travelling to see partners or loved ones, to use the proper legal channels.
The Musina repatriation site forms part of efforts to assist foreign nationals who voluntarily want to return to their home countries.
