A proposal by a Zanu-PF Member of Parliament, Clemence Chiduwa, to expel approximately 25,000 South African nationals from Zimbabwe has been swiftly rejected by the country’s Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi. The proposal, tabled on July 17, 2026, was presented as a reciprocal measure in response to the ongoing mass repatriation of over 100,000 Zimbabweans from South Africa since May, a situation exacerbated by anti-immigration protests in the neighbouring country.
Justice Minister Ziyambi categorically stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would not endorse such a move, emphasizing the government’s commitment to regional stability and diplomatic solutions. This rejection underscores a divergence in approaches within the Zimbabwean political landscape regarding the handling of cross-border migration issues and highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations in Southern Africa.
Key Players Involved
- Clemence Chiduwa: Zanu-PF Member of Parliament who proposed the expulsion.
- Ziyambi Ziyambi: Zimbabwean Justice Minister who rejected the proposal.
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Zimbabwean President, stated to not endorse the expulsion.
Event Timeline
- July 17, 2026: Proposal for mass expulsion of South Africans tabled in Zimbabwean parliament.
- July 18, 2026: Zimbabwean Justice Minister publicly rejects the proposal.
