The Zimbabwean government has sought to reassure its citizens living in South Africa, saying there is “no need to panic” despite renewed concerns over sporadic xenophobic tensions.
The issue was raised in the Senate by Labanny Munemo, who asked what measures were being taken to protect Zimbabweans residing in South Africa amid recurring attacks targeting foreign nationals.
In response, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said the situation was not new and that recent demonstrations had largely been peaceful.
“The situation in South Africa is not something that has started today. The fortunate bit is that the demonstrations that happened a day or so ago were largely peaceful,” he told senators.
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Ziyambi said the government had maintained diplomatic engagements with South African authorities, particularly on issues affecting Zimbabweans living and working there.
“As a country, we have had engagements with the South African government because we have many of our people there on a specific permit,” he said, referring to Zimbabwean nationals who have been residing in South Africa under special dispensation permits introduced in 2010.
He added that a court order had barred the South African government from deporting some permit holders or refusing to extend their permits.
“Currently, there is no need to panic. Our citizens in South Africa are not in any danger,” he said.
However, Ziyambi warned that undocumented migrants remain vulnerable due to their legal status.
“If you are not documented, it means you are there illegally,” he said, stressing the importance of regularising one’s stay in a foreign country.
He said Zimbabwe’s embassy in Pretoria was closely monitoring developments and would continue to provide updates.
“Our embassy in South Africa will keep us posted on the situation,” he said.
South Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of violence targeting foreign nationals over the past decade, often linked to economic pressures and competition for jobs.
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