In the neighbourhood

South Africa/Zimbabwe: Migrants become political pawns as relationship sours

By Farai Shawn Matiashe

Premium badge Reserved for subscribers

Posted on February 4, 2022 10:55

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa arrive for bilateral talks in Harare
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa arrive for bilateral talks in Harare, Zimbabwe March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

The relationship between Pretoria and Harare, which has been cordial for decades, is deteriorating. Migration, as ever, is high on the list of grievances.

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) government, which has over the years used ‘quiet diplomacy’ policy with its revolutionary counterpart, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), is not happy with the prolonged economic and political crisis in the neighbouring country to the north. The latest point of contention has been over both documented and undocumented migrants in South Africa.

As South Africa, one of the biggest economies on the continent, grapples with high unemployment, locals have been blaming migrants – particularly Zimbabweans – for grabbing job opportunities.

The unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 34.9% in the third quarter of 2021, up from 34.4% in the second quarter, according to Statistics South Africa data released in November last year.

The unemployment rate was the highest since 2008, when the Quarterly Labour Force Survey was

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime