The Zimbabwean government has ruled out calls to expel an estimated 25,000 <a href="https://absafricatv.com/diski-18-brings-together-israeli-soccer-players-and-south-african-youth/" title="Diski 18 brings together Israeli soccer players and South African youth”>South Africans living in the country, saying it will not adopt retaliatory measures despite growing anti-foreigner sentiment and recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The position was outlined during a parliamentary debate on the increasing number of Zimbabweans returning home from South Africa, where migrants have continued to face hostility, periodic xenophobic violence and calls for mass deportations.
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers, Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, said the government has no intention of targeting South Africans who are legally residing in the country.
He stressed that Zimbabwe would continue to welcome foreign nationals who comply with its immigration laws, adding that the principle of Ubuntu guides the country’s approach.
“We do not have a policy of chasing away visitors,” the minister told Parliament.
His remarks come amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where foreign nationals have frequently been blamed for crime, unemployment and pressure on public services, sparking anti-immigrant campaigns and isolated incidents of violence.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Health Minister, Douglas Mombeshora, disclosed that more than 99,000 Zimbabweans returning from South Africa have undergone health screening for communicable diseases at border posts.
He said returnees suffering from chronic medical conditions have also been referred to health facilities to ensure they continue receiving treatment without interruption.
The Zimbabwean government said its decision reflects its commitment to protecting legally resident foreign nationals and maintaining its long-standing policy of hospitality, despite growing domestic calls for reciprocal action over the treatment of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa.
The development comes as migration and recurring xenophobic tensions continue to test relations between South Africa and several countries across the continent.
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