Mnangagwa voices disquiet over criminal tag on nationals in South Africa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ministers say they are worried by the continued portrayal of Zimbabweans in South Africa as the biggest criminals in the neighbouring country.

The subject featured among cabinet deliberations on Tuesday, according to Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa who was addressing a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare same day.

"Cabinet noted with concern the continued malicious reports on the social media depicting Zimbabweans as the chief perpetrators of crime in South Africa and highlighted the need to consistently supply correct information in the formal media.

"Cabinet would like to assure the nation that government remains committed to ensuring that citizens are given thee requisite protection and accorded the necessary dignity," Mutsvangwa said.

Zimbabwe has the largest migrant population in South Africa especially in Gauteng province, host to the neighbouring country's commercial capital, Johannesburg.

A lot are undocumented migrants surviving on menial jobs.

South Africa's high violent crime statistics have spotlighted on the nationality of offenders with a few Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and other nationals from neighbouring countries caught in the acts.

A lot more migrants from some North African and Asian countries have also been caught in offences involving drug and human trafficking.

However, there is no known study conducted by South African authorities to determine which group of nationals has committed the most crimes.

The Zanu-PF led government has been accused of hounding millions of locals to foreign lands to seek greener pastures as the country's economy sinks deeper into the abyss.

A lot are employed into informal jobs with no pension and other social security guarantees while a tiny few enjoy well-paying jobs.