Zimbabwean MP Clemence Chiduwa sparked controversy by calling for the expulsion of 25,000 South Africans in a tit-for-tat response to the treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa, a proposal rejected by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and hospitality.
A Call for Retaliation and a Government’s Rejection
Zimbabwean ruling party MP Clemence Chiduwa ignited a heated debate in Parliament on July 17, 2026, by urging the expulsion of 25,000 South Africans living in Zimbabwe as a “tit-for-tat” measure against the treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa. Chiduwa argued that Zimbabwe should adopt a “tit-for-tat” policy of reciprocity after more than 100,000 Zimbabweans were repatriated from South Africa since May, following protests led by anti-immigration groups. “In diplomacy there is a policy of reciprocity. Our people are being chased away from South Africa at the moment. In Zimbabwe, we have at least 25,000 South Africans. Don’t you think, in the spirit of reciprocity, there is a need for us to chase these South Africans back to their country?” he asked, according to News24.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi rejected the proposal, stating that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would not support the expulsion of fellow Africans and remained committed to the principles of Pan-Africanism. As Zimbabwe we are friends with everyone. Our culture dictates that when our children visit and then they want to come back, we just accept them,
Ziyambi said, emphasizing the nation’s adherence to the Ubuntu philosophy. Pindula reported that Ziyambi reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to welcoming visitors, stating, We have never had a policy of chasing away visitors.
Opposition Backs the Proposal, Citing Inaction
While the government rejected Chiduwa’s motion, MP of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change Corban Madzivanyi backed the proposal, accusing the South African government of failing to protect Zimbabweans. “We have seen our fellow Zimbabweans being beaten and chased away from South Africa, including those with proper documents. Their homes are being raided. Can’t our Zimbabwean government also keep quiet like the South African administration did while ordinary citizens deal with this matter?” News24 quoted Madzivanyi as saying.
To date, the government has processed over 53,000 foreign nationals for repatriation to their home countries, according to eNCA.
Personal Stories of Displacement
Mlilo’s story reflects the wider repatriation exercise by the Zimbabwean government, which has assisted nearly 100,000 citizens stranded or affected by unrest in South Africa to return home. Authorities say about 70% of those repatriated are women and children. They don’t know what the future holds for them here in South Africa. They are very worried and they are still on a panic mode,
said Weston Wille, chairperson of Zimbabweans in Cape Town, eNCA reported.
The Broader Context of Regional Tensions
Minister Ziyambi emphasized Zimbabwe’s cultural and historical ties in his response to Chiduwa’s proposal, stating, We maintain our Ubuntu. We don’t want to follow borders that were created by colonists and deny our relatives, whether they are from Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique or Botswana. We want to maintain this level of accepting everyone.
Pindula noted that Ziyambi referenced a 2021/2022 directive in which President Mnangagwa instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to regularize undocumented residents, adding, He even went further, and I recall that in cabinet, he said, if they don’t have names, give them yours, let all of them be Kazembe.
The tension has surfaced as both nations grapple with migration issues. Even if our brothers and sisters from South Africa want to visit this side, we accept them since they are our relatives,
Ziyambi added, News24 reported.
The clash between Chiduwa’s call for retaliation and Ziyambi’s emphasis on Pan-Africanism highlights the complex dynamics of regional migration. For individuals like Mlilo, the uncertainty remains acute. The suburb has grown and I no longer know exactly where they stay,
he said, The South African reported. eNCA reported that more Zimbabweans are still arriving at the Cape Town consulate.
