CONSTRUCTING THE MIGRANT THREAT: ZIMBABWEAN MIGRATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The presence of Zimbabwean migrants in South African communities has led to a rise in public debates and emotive sentiments over the years. Although Zimbabwean migration is not a new phenomenon in the region, public debates and community sentiments often suggest that it has increased anxiety about belonging, access to services, and social coexistence. These frustrations have contributed significantly to tensions and conflicts between Zimbabwean migrants and South African citizens, particularly in low-income urban communities. As a result, Zimbabwean migration is increasingly viewed not through a humanitarian lens, but as a threat to employment opportunities, access to resources, and social cohesion among local populations.  Using the social constructivist framework, the study argues that social tensions are not shaped entirely by economic or social circumstances but are a result of socially constructed perceptions of threat and outsider status. The study employs qualitative content analysis of media reports, civil society records, and existing scholarly works to establish prevalent narratives that portray Zimbabwean migrants as exacerbating unemployment, criminal activity, and the strain on public resources. The findings and results indicate that local conflicts often arise when migrants are labelled as the cause of wider socio-economic dissatisfaction. By focusing on local social dynamics, the article contributes to migration studies in International Relations by highlighting how local social dynamics shape the reception of migrants.