Zimbabwe miffed by growing anti-immigrant sentiments in South Africa

By Jeffrey Moyo

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - Authorities in Zimbabwe are miffed by South Africa’s growing anti-immigrants sentiments aimed at the country’s citizens.

In a recent press interaction, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the government was worried of continued portrayal of its nationals in South Africa as criminals amid rising anti-immigrant sentiments in the neighboring country.

“Cabinet noted with concern the continued malicious reports in the media depicting Zimbabweans as the chief perpetrators of crime in South Africa and highlighted the need to consistently supply correct information in the media,” she said.

Her statement followed a video circulating on social media of remarks by South African health official PhophiRamathuba to a Zimbabwean patient, who is reportedly undocumented.

“You are killing my health system," she said, adding that Zimbabwe must take responsibility for her health issues, and not South Africa.

Xenophobic attacks have of late been worsening in South Africa amid growing calls for foreigners to return to their country. In April, a 43-year-old Zimbabwean national was burnt to death by a vigilante group checking documents of people in one of the squatter settlements near Johannesburg.