Six Malawians have died and two others are missing following floods in Kwazulu Natal (KZN) South Africa, in which 440 people are reported dead.

Ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson John Kabaghe says 53 other Malawians are homeless and some have asked the government to repatriate them back home as they are destitute.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national state of disaster in reaction to the floods that have left about 40 thousand people homeless in Kwazulu Natal.