A border dispute almost turned into a political firestorm, but Zimbabwe’s leaders rejected a revenge approach toward migrants from South Africa. Zaka South MP Clemence Chiduwa argued for sending back South African nationals in response to anti-immigrant violence across the border.
The suggestion appeared during a National Assembly session, where Speaker Joseph Tshuma shut down the idea and said Zimbabwe should not take that path. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi later said the government does not support retaliatory removals.
Ziyambi pointed to Zimbabwe’s approach of helping undocumented residents regularize their status and receive identification documents. He said the country would keep welcoming South Africans with valid papers and maintain its tradition of ubuntu.
The suggestion appeared during a National Assembly session, where Speaker Joseph Tshuma shut down the idea and said Zimbabwe should not take that path. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi later said the government does not support retaliatory removals.
Ziyambi pointed to Zimbabwe’s approach of helping undocumented residents regularize their status and receive identification documents. He said the country would keep welcoming South Africans with valid papers and maintain its tradition of ubuntu.
