Zimbabwe engages SA over xenophobia fears

The Zimbabwean government has moved to reassure citizens living in South Africa that their safety is not under immediate threat following renewed concerns over xenophobic tensions targeting foreign nationals.

The issue was raised in the Senate, where legislators questioned the government on measures in place to protect Zimbabweans amid reports of protests and sporadic violence in parts of South Africa.

Raising the matter, Senator Laban Munemo cited "recurring and deeply disturbing xenophobic attacks" affecting foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, and called for clearer contingency plans.

In response, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said government was actively engaging South African authorities and monitoring the situation closely.

"The situation in South Africa is not something that has started today. The demonstrations that happened a day or so ago were largely peaceful," he said.

He added that Zimbabwe remains in regular contact with Pretoria over the status of Zimbabweans living there, particularly those under special permit arrangements introduced in previous years.

"Our citizens in South Africa are not in any danger," Ziyambi said, while noting that undocumented migrants are subject to South African immigration laws.

He also confirmed that Zimbabwe's embassy in Pretoria continues to monitor developments and provide updates to Harare.

The update comes amid reports of renewed anti-immigrant demonstrations in parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, where foreign nationals have in past incidents been targeted over issues such as jobs, crime and access to services.

South Africa hosts one of the largest Zimbabwean migrant populations, many of whom moved during periods of economic hardship at home.

Authorities in both countries say diplomatic channels remain open as they seek to prevent escalation and ensure the safety of affected communities.