Zimbabwe Downplays South Africa Xenophobia Concerns Despite Growing Fear Among Migrants

HARARE — The Zimbabwean government is facing growing criticism after telling Parliament it has not received official reports of widespread xenophobic violence against Zimbabweans living in South Africa, despite mounting anxiety among migrant communities following recent anti-immigrant demonstrations. The issue was raised in Parliament after Warren Park legislator Shakespeare Hamauswa asked the government to explain what diplomatic and practical measures were being taken to protect Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa.

Responding on behalf of the government, Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, said authorities were monitoring developments through diplomatic channels and embassies.

“We are working with the embassies through the diplomatic channels that we have for our Zimbabweans facing difficulties or humiliation or any other illegal activities that are not good,” Ziyambi told Parliament. “As for now, we have not heard through the embassies that there is a lot of beating and killing that is happening in South Africa, but what we heard is that there are people who went on the streets to demonstrate and the government of South Africa did not support it.”

The remarks come amid renewed concerns over xenophobic tensions in major South African cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, where anti-immigrant protests and campaigns have resurfaced in recent months. South Africa hosts one of the largest Zimbabwean diaspora populations globally, with millions of Zimbabweans living and working there in sectors ranging from construction and mining to healthcare, hospitality and informal trade. While the Zimbabwean government sought to downplay fears of a full-scale crisis, migrant advocacy groups and regional analysts warn that inflammatory anti-foreigner rhetoric can quickly escalate into violence if not addressed decisively.

Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said xenophobic tensions in South Africa remain a sensitive regional issue with both humanitarian and diplomatic implications.

“Even isolated anti-immigrant incidents create fear within migrant communities because Zimbabweans in South Africa are already economically vulnerable,” Masunungure said in previous regional migration discussions.

Ziyambi stressed that maintaining public order inside South Africa falls under the responsibility of South African authorities, particularly the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“As the government, we work together with the government of South Africa and we are doing everything according to law,” he said. “If there are people who have done something that is outside the law in South Africa, it is the duty of the police officers in South Africa to apprehend them and make sure that each and every individual is following the law.”

He added that Zimbabwe respects South Africa’s sovereignty and expects local authorities there to manage protests and criminal conduct arising from anti-immigrant activities.

“If you are a neighbour, you remain a neighbour. You cannot go to their home and teach them what to do. You remain a good neighbour,” Ziyambi said.

Recent anti-immigrant campaigns in South Africa have sparked concern among Zimbabwean migrants, many of whom rely on cross-border employment opportunities and regularly send remittances home to support families amid Zimbabwe’s economic challenges. Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that xenophobic tensions in South Africa often intensify during periods of economic hardship, unemployment pressures, and political contestation.

Zimbabwe xenophobia South Africa

Zimbabwe, South Africa, Xenophobia, Parliament, Migrants, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diplomacy, African Politics