THE Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) have been urged to initiate broader regional discussions on migration, labour mobility and anti-xenophobia policies following escalating anti-migrant campaigns and violence in South Africa.
South Africans have launched demonstrations and raids targeting foreign nationals, regardless of their documentation status, demanding that they leave the country.
The campaigns, initiated and coordinated by vigilante groups Operation Dudula and March and March, accuse foreign nationals of being granted priority in employment over South Africans and contributing a rise in crime.
The groups have since declared that all foreigners must leave South Africa by May 30, warning that they intend to shut down the country to “weed out” foreigners.
The growing tensions have reignited debate across the region over migration, unemployment, governance failures and the collapse of pan-African solidarity, with critics warning that continued xenophobic violence threatens regional stability and African unity.
In an interview with Southern Eye, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Andreas Ethan Mathibela expressed concern over the increasing xenophobic attacks and hostility directed at foreigners, warning that the trend threatens African unity, regional stability, and pan-African ideals.
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“Zimbabwe and South Africa share a deep historical relationship built on sacrifice, mutual support and a common vision for the emancipation of African people from colonialism and apartheid,” he said.
“It is, therefore, painful and regrettable to witness ordinary Zimbabweans being targets of violence, intimidation, social exclusion and economic scape-goating.”
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to regulate immigration and enforce its laws, Mathibela said socio-economic frustrations could not justify violence, hate speech or collective punishment against migrants.
He called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to pursue urgent diplomatic engagement with South African authorities and establish strong migration management systems between the two countries.
Mathibela said Zimbabwe needed to address the root causes driving economic migration, including unemployment, economic instability and lack of opportunities for young people.
“The continued migration of large numbers of Zimbabweans to neighbouring countries is itself a reflection of domestic socio-economic challenges which require urgent national attention,” he said.
He further called on Sadc and the AU to spearhead regional discussions on migration, labour mobility and anti-xenophobia measures.
Mathibela’s remarks coincided with Africa Day commemorations, with ZNLWVA arguing that the continent’s liberation ideals remain incomplete as millions of Africans continue to face poverty, unemployment, displacement, and social exclusion.
“Africa Day cannot merely become an annual ceremonial event characterised by speeches, slogans, expensive conferences and symbolic celebrations while the majority of African citizens see little meaningful and tangible improvement in their daily lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Freedom Alliance youth leader in South Africa, Pride Ncube, also condemned xenophobic vigilantism and called for peaceful coexistence between South Africans and foreign nationals.
Ncube said most foreigners living in South Africa were law-abiding people seeking work, safety, and dignity.
“As a foreigner living in South Africa, this issue is deeply painful because many of us came here seeking peace, work and a chance to survive with dignity,” he said.
“Most foreigners are not criminals. We are fathers, mothers, workers and entrepreneurs trying to build honest lives and contribute positively to society.”
Ncube warned against mob justice and collective punishment, saying crime should be addressed through lawful processes rather than hatred and vigilantism.
“When innocent people are attacked, businesses destroyed and families terrorised, humanity loses,” he said.
He appealed for the preservation of Ubuntu and African solidarity, saying South Africa has historically symbolised unity and coexistence on the continent.
Mthwakazi Republic Party president Mqondisi Moyo criticised the xenophobic attacks, saying African governments preached pan-Africanism while migrants faced attack and discrimination in neighbouring countries.
“How can Africa celebrate brotherhood while Africans are hunted for being foreigners in fellow African countries?” he asked.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Lovemore Moyo criticised contemporary African leadership for failing to uphold the founding ideals of continental unity.
He accused African leaders of prioritising greed, corruption and narrow national interests over pan-African solidarity, saying the vision of Africa’s liberation heroes had been “deeply betrayed” by successive generations of leaders across the continent.
Moyo raised concern over the recent rise in xenophobic tensions in South Africa, describing the situation as one of the clearest examples of failed continental leadership.
“A case in point, which is still fresh in our minds as Africans, is the current wave of xenophobic crusade happening in South Africa,” he said.
“It is so sad because the leadership of that country has been quiet, especially ANC, which is conspicuous by its silence. We wonder why they are quiet.”
He further alleged, without providing evidence, that some members of the ANC-led governing coalition can be exploiting anti-immigrant sentiment for political purposes.