TWO SA GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO MALAWI RESCUED
Two South African girls aged nine and 15 have been rescued from Malawi and returned home after spending 21 months in the country in a case described by South African authorities as human trafficking.
The girls arrived back in South Africa on Thursday, 3 September 2026, following months of cooperation between authorities in the two countries. They were received at OR Tambo International Airport by Social Development Minister Dina Pule and are now being reunited with their family and receiving support.
The ordeal began in South Africa, where the family was allegedly persuaded to sell their home and move to Malawi in pursuit of a better life. According to the South African government, a Malawian man living in the Eastern Cape allegedly gained the trust of the girls’ mother through a romantic relationship before convincing the family that they would have a better life in Malawi.
The family subsequently sold their house, with the proceeds of the sale and the grandmother’s pension allegedly becoming subject to the man’s control. A South African woman was also allegedly involved in the arrangements that led to the family’s move.
The family travelled to Blantyre on 11 October 2024. However, after arriving in Malawi, the circumstances reportedly changed significantly. South African authorities say the family’s passports were allegedly taken and that they were subjected to restrictions on their movement, poor living conditions and inadequate food.
In January 2026, arrangements were made for the family to return to South Africa. According to the authorities’ account, the adults were told that their passports would be handed back to them at the border.
The mother and grandmother eventually returned to South Africa, but the two girls remained in Malawi.
The matter was reported to the South African Police Service on 2 March 2026 by the mother and the grandmother. It was subsequently referred through Interpol South Africa, with authorities in Malawi and South Africa working together to locate the children.
The girls were rescued by Malawian authorities on 9 July 2026 and placed in a place of safety while arrangements were made for their return.
South African officials from the Department of Social Development and Interpol travelled to Malawi on 30 August to facilitate the repatriation. The girls were subsequently returned to South Africa on 3 September.
South Africa’s Department of Social Development has publicly provided details of the case, describing the girls as victims of human trafficking and confirming that they are receiving support following their return. The department has also called for the children’s privacy and dignity to be protected.
The criminal investigation is being handled by the Eastern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, with cooperation from authorities in Malawi.
The South African government has not publicly identified the Malawian man or the South African woman allegedly involved in the case. Malawian authorities have also not publicly issued any detailed statement identifying those involved.
For the two girls, however, the immediate ordeal is over. After arriving in Malawi in October 2024 and spending 21 months away from home, they are now back in South Africa with their family and receiving assistance as they begin their recovery and reintegration.