The influx of Zimbabweans into South Africa: a crisis of governance that spills over

Post-apartheid South Africa has experienced its largest in-flow of migrants since the start of the crisis in Zimbabwe almost two decades ago from which Zimbabwe has yet to recover. This article aims to analyse the origins of the increased influx of Zimbabweans into South Africa, as well as consider the South African government’s response. Following an examination of the origins of the crisis, this article argues that while there are multiple dimensions to the crisis, it is ultimately a crisis of governance. It contends that poor policy decisions have negatively impacted on the economy and supports this with Zimbabwe’s scoring in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance since 2000. The article then attributes the mass exodus of Zimbabweans to the governance crisis and describes the mixed nature of Zimbabwean migration into South Africa since 2000. Thereafter, it analyses the South African government’s response towards Zimbabwean migration, which was initially slow and influenced by its foreign policy towards Zimbabwe, which failed to recognize a crisis of governance. It concludes that following the 2013 elections, Zimbabwe may yet slide further backwards and fail to stem the tide of migration.