Janet Kapito left Lolo village for South Africa in 2022 to save money for a house in Malawi.

She returned with her eight-month-old baby and little else after anti-foreigner violence forced her to flee.

Her few belongings were stolen on a bus that was transporting returnees ahead of the June 30 deadline.

Kapito said she earned 2,000 rand a month working at a restaurant owned by a Nigerian.

She received 70,000 Malawian kwacha, about $40, after being processed at Kamuzu Stadium.

Malawi officials say the government is facilitating the return of thousands of citizens who have worked for years in South Africa's informal sector.

Local media report that 6,936 Malawians have returned since the repatriation began.

Malawi's Department of Disaster Management Affairs estimates about 10,000 citizens are in distress and has activated a comprehensive response plan.

South African authorities state that 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation.

Many returnees said they borrowed money at high interest to travel to South Africa and now struggle to repay loans after COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted their livelihoods.

Some described sheltering in an open field in Durban while attacks on foreign nationals intensified.

Thokozani Mphola, 33, from Lomola in Thyolo District, said she fled to survive, adding that she would not return even if protests subside.

She arrived home with only a few clothes and said she hopes to start a small business if she can obtain capital.

Idrissah Akilemu, a father of two, said his Johannesburg house was burned during a night raid by protesters targeting foreigners.

Akilemu described the attacks as occurring at night and said he is grateful to be alive.

Both returnees expressed difficulty reintegrating into Malawi, where formal unemployment remains high.

Community sources in South Africa say election periods often coincide with renewed anti-foreigner rhetoric and violence.

Several returnees declined to speak with journalists.

Malawi is expected to receive thousands more citizens in the coming weeks as the repatriation continues.