Minister of Information Kondwani Nankhumwa disclosed this at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Monday.
One of the deceased has been identified as Adam Chilipa from Mangochi whose body has already been laid to rest and the other victim whose body is still in a South African Mortuary is yet to be identified.
According to Nankhumwa, the first six buses carrying 390 people will arrive on Monday in Blantyre while the other five buses are expected in the country by Tuesday.
The Minister, who is also government’s spokesperson, disclosed that 50 buses are needed for the repatriation process to be completed, adding that the number of victims has risen from 1,050 to 3,200 available in all the three camps.
Nankhumwa said government would spend R100,000 on each bus repatriating the victims back home.
At the briefing Nankhuma disclosed that government needs K195 million from the K60 million which was previously communicated.
“From the information we have gathered as of Sunday, the number of affected Malawians which was at 1050 has risen to 3,200 which means governments need to add more resources, that is why the money needed has hit K195 million, “said Nankhumwa
Meanwhile government has appealed to all Malawians to remain calm and has assured foreigners and foreign owned businesses in Malawi of its protection.
The statement follows plans by some quarters who are planning a demonstration to the South African High Commission in Lilongwe to deliver a petition while others are planning to boycott goods by South African Owned Businesses such as Game Stores, Pep and Shoprite among others.
“As government we are treating the matter diplomatically and a decision has not been arrived at to boycott businesses, but in a democracy people are allowed to demonstrate peacefully while excising their freedom,” Nankhumwa said.
As part of preparations for a meeting between two country’s Ministers on the issue at hand, a Delegation comprising Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation and other officials have left the country for South Africa.
