Harare – A heated debate has erupted in the Zimbabwean Parliament after a ruling party lawmaker called for the immediate expulsion of thousands of South Africans living in the country. The move is being described as a "tit-for-tat" response to the treatment of Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa.
Clemence Chiduwa, a Member of Parliament for the ruling Zanu-PF party, tabled the controversial proposal this week. He argued that Zimbabwe should adopt a policy of reciprocity following the recent repatriation of more than 100,000 Zimbabweans from South Africa.
The call comes at a time of heightened tension between the two neighbours. Recent months have seen a surge in anti-immigration protests in South Africa, which have led to many Zimbabweans being forced to leave. Chiduwa believes it is time for Zimbabwe to take a stand.
“In diplomacy there is a policy of reciprocity. Our people are being chased away from South Africa at the moment. In Zimbabwe, we have at least 25,000 South Africans. Don’t you think, in the spirit of reciprocity, there is a need for us to chase these South Africans back to their country?” Chiduwa asked his fellow lawmakers.
The proposal has divided opinion within the Zimbabwean government. While some see it as a necessary defense of their citizens, others fear it could damage the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
The Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, was quick to reject the idea. He stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would not support such a move. According to Ziyambi, the Zimbabwean government remains committed to the principles of Pan-Africanism and "Ubuntu."
“As Zimbabwe we are friends with everyone. Our culture dictates that when our children visit and then they want to come back, we just accept them,” Ziyambi told Parliament. He emphasized that Zimbabwe has never had a policy of chasing away visitors and intends to keep it that way.
Ziyambi further explained that Zimbabwe wants to maintain a welcoming environment for all Africans. “We maintain our Ubuntu. We don’t want to follow borders that were created by colonists and deny our relatives, whether they are from Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique or Botswana. We want to maintain this level of accepting everyone. So if we have brothers and sisters from South Africa, we accept them,” he added.
Despite the government's official stance, the proposal found unexpected support from the opposition benches. Corban Madzivanyi, an MP from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), backed Chiduwa’s call. He accused the South African government of failing to protect Zimbabweans from xenophobic attacks.
Madzivanyi spoke passionately about the plight of Zimbabweans in South Africa. “We have seen our fellow Zimbabweans being beaten and chased away from South Africa, including those with proper documents. Their homes are being raided. Can’t our Zimbabwean government also keep quiet like the South African administration did while ordinary citizens deal with this matter?” he asked.
The debate highlights a growing sense of frustration in Zimbabwe over how its citizens are being treated across the border. For years, millions of Zimbabweans have moved to South Africa in search of better economic opportunities. However, as South Africa faces its own economic challenges, tensions over immigration have reached a boiling point.
The Zimbabwean government is currently involved in a massive operation to bring its citizens home. Daniel Garwe, the Minister for Local Government and Public Works, recently revealed that the government plans to assist in returning more than 70% of the estimated two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
Garwe used a traditional Shona proverb to explain the government's commitment to the repatriation process. “In our Shona language, we say an elephant doesn’t feel the heaviness of its horns. So we are going to make sure that we help in repatriating over 70% of our citizens from South Africa,” he said.
This large-scale return of citizens presents a significant challenge for Zimbabwe. The country is already struggling with high unemployment and a fragile economy. Integrating hundreds of thousands of returning citizens will require a massive effort and significant resources.
Many of those returning have lived in South Africa for years and have built lives there. The sudden move to repatriate them has caused great distress for many families. There are also concerns about how the returning citizens will be supported once they arrive back in Zimbabwe.
The call to expel South Africans from Zimbabwe is seen by some as a political move to tap into this growing frustration. By suggesting a "tit-for-tat" policy, politicians like Chiduwa are appealing to a sense of national pride and a desire for justice for those who have been mistreated.
However, the potential consequences of such a move are serious. South Africa is Zimbabwe's largest trading partner. Any breakdown in relations could have a devastating impact on the Zimbabwean economy. There are also thousands of South African businesses operating in Zimbabwe that provide much-needed jobs and investment.
The South African government has not yet officially responded to the debate in the Zimbabwean Parliament. However, officials in Pretoria have previously called for calm and urged both South Africans and foreign nationals to follow the law.
The situation remains fluid as both countries navigate the complex issues of migration and regional cooperation. While the Zimbabwean government has officially rejected the call for expulsions, the fact that the proposal was even debated in Parliament shows the depth of the tension.
As the repatriation process continues, the eyes of the region will be on Harare and Pretoria. The hope is that both governments can find a way to manage the movement of people in a way that is fair and respects the rights of all citizens.
For now, the 25,000 South Africans living in Zimbabwe can breathe a sigh of relief as the government stands by its policy of Ubuntu. But the underlying issues that led to this explosive debate are far from resolved. The challenge of migration in Southern Africa continues to test the bonds of brotherhood between the two nations.
The debate in Parliament has also sparked a wider conversation on social media and in the streets of Harare. Many Zimbabweans are torn between a desire to see their fellow citizens protected and a fear of the consequences of a diplomatic fallout with South Africa.
"It is heartbreaking to see how our brothers are being treated in South Africa," said one Harare resident. "But we must be careful. We are one people, and we should not let the actions of a few divide us. Chasing people away is not the answer."
Others, however, feel that Zimbabwe must be more assertive. "For too long we have watched our people suffer while the government does nothing. We need to show that we will not be pushed around," said another.
As the debate continues, the Zimbabwean government will need to balance these competing pressures. The decision to reject the expulsion proposal for now is a sign that, at the highest levels, the value of regional stability and Pan-Africanism still holds weight. But with millions of citizens on the move and economic pressures mounting, the path ahead remains difficult.
The story of the 25,000 South Africans in Zimbabwe and the two million Zimbabweans in South Africa is more than just a matter of numbers. It is a story of families, of shared history, and of the ongoing struggle to build a prosperous and peaceful Southern Africa. How the two nations handle this crisis will shape their relationship for years to come.
