A recent proposal in the Zimbabwean parliament 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. The proposal, tabled on July 17, 2026, was framed as a reciprocal 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.
However, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi categorically stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would not endorse such a move, emphasizing Zimbabwe’s commitment to upholding ‘Ubuntu’ and maintaining an open, welcoming stance towards fellow Africans. This government response signals a deliberate effort to avoid escalating diplomatic tensions with Pretoria, even as both nations grapple with the humanitarian and diplomatic fallout of the crisis and the pressure of returning citizens.
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: The Zimbabwean President, whose stance on ‘Ubuntu’ was cited in rejecting the proposal.
Event Timeline
- July 17, 2026: MP Clemence Chiduwa tables the proposal in parliament.
- July 17, 2026: Zimbabwean Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi rejects the proposal, reaffirming the government’s stance.
