Published: 2 hours ago

South Africa's immigration debate is messy, emotional and deeply contested. It sits at the intersection of hard realities, political opportunism and painful history. Beneath the noise lies a set of contradictions and complexities that are often reduced to soundbites and scapegoating. Xenophobia, misaligned policies, and structural legacies from apartheid have fused with economic hardship to produce a volatile environment in which truth is frequently the first casualty.

There is no denying that South Africa faces legitimate challenges linked to immigration. The country is home to millions of foreign nationals, many of them undocumented, with Zimbabweans forming the largest group. Waves of migration from Zimbabwe have been driven by political repression and economic collapse under Zanu-PF's 45-year rule - first under Robert Mugabe and now Emmerson Mnangagwa. The sheer numbers have placed a strain on public services, infrastructure, and social safety nets, while also fuelling tensions over jobs, crime and social cohesion.

Yet the story is never that simple. Immigrants are blamed for unemployment, crime and failing services, but such accusations often mask deeper systemic failures: poverty, inequality, and corruption. The Department of Home Affairs, riddled with inefficiency and corruption, routinely fails to process asylum claims or issue documents timeously. Fraud and bureaucratic inertia push many into illegality, leaving them vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. Raids such as "Operation Fiela" - disproportionately targeting black migrants - reinforce negative stereotypes and entrench hostility.

At the same time, public anger is real and cannot be dismissed as mere prejudice. South Africans struggling with joblessness and insecurity see immigrants everywhere - in the streets, the townships, the workplaces, the bars. Zimbabweans, in particular, are accused of arrogance, entitlement and unwillingness to integrate. The perception, however exaggerated, feeds resentment. Anti-immigrant groups like Operation Dudula and March and March have tapped into this anger, often peddling half-truths and outright falsehoods to mobilise support. Politicians, sensing an easy vote-winner, pour fuel on the fire. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie have both leaned into inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the 2027 municipal elections.

But scapegoating foreigners is a political shortcut that dodges accountability. Blaming Zimbabweans for South Africa's problems does not fix a broken education system, a collapsing healthcare sector, or the looting of state resources. Equally, immigrants themselves cannot deny uncomfortable truths. Zimbabweans must acknowledge that South Africa does not owe them a livelihood. Ultimately, the long-term solution lies not in permanent exile but in fixing the dysfunction back home. Running harder to stay in South Africa than to change Zimbabwe is neither sustainable nor fair.

What makes the current debate especially toxic is the collision between two flawed narratives: the xenophobic distortions of anti-immigrant movements and the defensive entitlement of some migrants. Each side avoids truth when it is inconvenient. Dudula leaders parade as constitutional defenders while displaying ignorance of the law; some Zimbabweans act as if historical ties entitle them to remain indefinitely, even illegally. Both positions fuel conflict and hinder constructive policy.

South Africa does have sophisticated migration and asylum laws on paper, but poor implementation, administrative failures and corruption erode their credibility. As the region's economic powerhouse, South Africa bears a heavy burden but also carries regional and international obligations. Its immigration regime must balance internal security with its commitments under SADC, the African Union, and international law.

The danger, however, is clear: xenophobia is a slippery slope. Like racism and tribalism, it feeds on fear, distorts reality and corrodes social cohesion. The promise of Nelson Mandela's "rainbow nation" collides daily with violence against outsiders, especially impoverished Zimbabweans. If this continues unchecked, South Africa risks hardening into a nation defined not by inclusivity, but by exclusion and hostility.

Immigration is not a problem to be "solved" by hate campaigns, nor a right to be demanded without responsibility. It requires sober dialogue, evidence-based policy and mutual accountability. South Africans must hold their leaders accountable for structural failures rather than scapegoating the vulnerable. Zimbabweans must face the reality that their salvation lies in fixing their homeland, not permanently exporting their crisis southward. Only then can the immigration debate move beyond fear and resentment towards a balanced, humane solution.
- online

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