The South African government has condemned the Malawi government for last week's crackdown on protesters, and called on both sides to make "more conciliatory efforts" to bridge their differences.
In a statement issued by the foreign ministry in Pretoria on Sunday, South Africa also called on protesters "to express their grievances within the ambit of the law".
The statement noted that at least 18 people had died in demonstrations in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mezuzu.
It quoted President Jacob Zuma as warning against "violence and any other form of attacks".