The New Age Corporation, an organisation based in Malawi's Blantyre district, initiated a programme that would see scores of detainees return home.

According to Bertha Mwafongo, an administrator at the organisation, the Prodigal Child Initiative was aimed at assisting those who had been held for prolonged periods at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, South Africa.

While thousands were believed to be held at the facility, New Age was said to have partnered with the ministry of foreign affairs and international co-operation, as well as Intercape, to ensure the safe return of the Malawian nationals.

The organisation urged members of the public to make donations towards the initiative, with each bus trip said to cost an estimated K10 000 000.

A previous News24 report indicated that despite 120 Malawians being repatriated in April 2016, approximately 900 detainees awaited transportation back home, with many more suspected to have been held captivate for periods of up to 9 months.

- News24.com