Online Reporter
Chronicle Reporter
Zimbabweans in South Africa face a relentless cycle of xenophobic harassment from Operation Dudula, yet for many, returning to Zimbabwe is not an option due to political persecution, economic collapse, or threats to their safety.
These families are trapped in a humanitarian limbo, with no place to call home.
For thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa, the dream of a better life has turned into a daily struggle for survival. Targeted by Operation Dudula—a grassroots movement intent on expelling foreign nationals—they face violence, eviction, and exclusion from basic services.
Yet, for many, returning to Zimbabwe is unthinkable: political persecution, economic ruin, and threats to their families await them across the border.
South African journalist Lenin Ndebele, who has spent years chronicling the plight of Zimbabwean migrants, puts it starkly:
“Many Zimbabweans are caught between a rock and a hard place, facing xenophobia and violence in South Africa while being unable to return to Zimbabwe due to political and economic instability.”
Ndebele revealed that the story of one Pamela Ngwenya’s journey is emblematic of this crisis.
“Fleeing Zimbabwe in search of opportunity, she settled into a South African family, only to find herself subjected to constant reminders that she was an outsider. The abuse escalated, targeting not just her but also her two daughters. When Operation Dudula began its door-to-door raids, Pamela’s family became a target—her foreignness now a threat to her safety.
“But returning to Zimbabwe is not an option. Her father, Samuel Ngwenya, a former soldier, died under mysterious circumstances after refusing to support the ruling ZANU-PF party. The family was branded as opposition sympathizers, making them targets for further harassment and violence. What further complicated issues was that one of Pamela’s daughter is a lesbian and this is practice also not allowed in Zimbabwe,” said Ndebele.
For Pamela and her daughters, both South Africa and Zimbabwe have become hostile territories.
Operation Dudula emerged in 2021, fueled by economic hardship and social frustration in South Africa. Its leaders and supporters blame foreign nationals—especially Zimbabweans—for crime, unemployment, and strained public services. The movement’s methods are direct and often violent.
The murder of Elvis Nyathi, a Zimbabwean gardener beaten and burned by a mob in Diepsloot, stands as a chilling reminder of the dangers Zimbabweans face in South Africa.
The crisis is not unique to Pamela Ngwenya. Across South Africa, countless Zimbabwean families are caught in the same trap
