Zimbabwean Migrants during the Covid-19 Pandemic – By Ineke Stemmet, SALO
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Covid-19 and Migration
The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns and border closures have created a double burden of vulnerability for migrants globally. This includes firstly the means of travelling to the country they wish to migrate to, or back to their countries of origin. Second, migrants are often the most vulnerable in situations of global pandemics. Both of these vulnerabilities are prevalent for the situations of Zimbabwean migrants.
Double burden of vulnerability
Over six thousand barriers to travel have been implemented globally during the Covid-19 pandemic.[1] These barriers to travel create the expectation that migration and smuggling would decrease, as people are unable to cross brders. However, this is not the case. Initially, global migration and smuggling decreased, but as the pandemic continued and the borders remained closed, these activities increased to a level higher than pre-pandemic levels and are expected to continue this upwards trajectory as borders are opened.[2] [3]This is due to various reasons.
Firstly, the difficulty of crossing borders and moving freely has made smugglers more valuable, as they tend to know how to overcome these challenges and thus the demand for smugglers increase. This is dangerous and migrants often get caught in precarious situations or even die on the way.
Second, the push factors for migrating are becoming more severe. Due to exacerbated social and economic challenges in the migrants’ situation, they are likely to seek refuge elsewhere, including attempting to return to their countries of origin.[4] This is because migrants are rendered vulnerable in the countries they have migrated to. History has shown that migrants are often left out in responses to pandemics. They are often one of the most exposed groups, as they tend to work in the informal economy and struggle to cope under situations of lockdowns and social distancing. Usually, migrants also live in crowded places. [5]
Covid-19 and migrants in South Africa
As the Covid-19 pandemic hit South Africa and the country went into a full lockdown there were concerns over people in the informal economy and how they would make a living and survive. The government initiated a Covid-19 relief program where informal workers would receive aid from the government to survive the lockdown. This program, however, have been criticized as excluding migrants and refugees.[6] This policy was subsequently changed after a Pretoria High Court ruling on 18 June 2020 stating that the policy should include asylum seekers.[7]
Zimbabwean migrants
Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa were placed in a precarious position during the lockdown. Most of these migrants fled to South Africa during the 2000s, following political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe. However, some made the difficult decision of choosing to return to Zimbabwe via the repatriation avenues.[8] More than 13, 000 Zimbabwean migrants had repatriated to Zimbabwe, where they had to stay in isolation centers for 21 days. However, some of these migrants escaped and risked infecting other Zimbabweans with Covid-19. [9]
Further, movement to South Africa has been limited since 18 March with the closure of its borders.[10] This has increased the vulnerability of migrants across the continent who seek to migrate to South Africa in search of a better life. Migrants are using the services of smugglers to reach South Africa, which is increasingly dangerous and exploitative.[11] Thousands of Zimbabweans are crossing South Africa’s Beitbridge border in search of food in the Limpopo province. [12] Further, some of those who were unable to repatriate used other, more dangerous methods to return home. There have been reports of truck drivers who have been smuggling goods and people over the Chirundu border. This method of human smuggling is dangerous as no social distancing measures or health precautions are taken in the trucks to prevent Covid-19 infections and it renders underage minors vulnerable to human trafficking.[13]
The Zimbabweans who decided to stay in South Africa or who are unable to repatriate are vulnerable. Many Zimbabweans in South Africa work in the informal economy which has been largely closed during the Covid-19 lockdown. As such, there has been a sharp increase in Zimbabweans asking the Zimbabwean embassy and civil society groups for food packages as their means of income had been halted, which made it difficult to pay their rent and buy basic necessities. [14] This illustrates the double burden of migrants in the time of Covid-19. Those who stay in South Africa are vulnerable and those who choose to be smuggled are also placed in precarious positions and risk infecting others.
The way forward
Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa and those who wish to migrate to or from South Africa are in precarious positions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus does not discriminate and poses a risk to everyone. In order to curb the rate of infections in South Africa and beyond, a holistic approach should be taken. A more regional approach to the plight of migrants on the move and situated in a specific country will allow them to be tracked better and given the healthcare and social support needed to remain healthy.
[1] Mbiyozo, A. 2020. Measures to contain COVID-19 are increasing demand for smuggling and subjecting migrants to even riskier conditions. 20 July. Institute for Security Studies. Available: https://issafrica.org/iss-today/migrant-smugglers-are-profiting-from-travel-restrictions (8
[2] Ibid
[3] Bird, L. 2020. Movement should be safe for migrants; not profitable for smugglers. 4 August. Institute for Security Studies. Available:https://issafrica.org/iss-today/movement-should-be-safe-for-migrants-not-profitable-for-smugglers (8
[4] Mbiyozo, A. 2020. Measures to contain COVID-19 are increasing demand for smuggling and subjecting migrants to even riskier conditions. 20 July. Institute for Security Studies.
[5] Lorreta, G. Y. 2020. COVID-19 and its impact on Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa. 5 June. Modern Diplomacy. Available:https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/06/05/covid-19-and-its-impact-on-zimbabwean-immigrants-in-south-africa/
[6] Ebrahim, S. 2020. Migrants and asylum seekers should be allowed to access Covid-19 grant. 31 May. IOL. Available: https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/migrants-and-asylum-seekers-should-be-allowed-to-access-covid-19-grant-48747898
[7] Erasmus, T and Botsane, O. 2020. Asylum seekers and special permit holders now eligible to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant. CliffDekkerHofmeyer. (Online). Available: https://www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com/en/news/publications/2020/probono/pro-bono-alert-1-july-asylum-seekers-and-special-permit-holders-now-eligible-to-apply-for-covid-19-social-relief-of-distress-grant.html
[8] Lorreta, G. Y. 2020. COVID-19 and its impact on Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa. 5 June. Modern Diplomacy. Available:https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/06/05/covid-19-and-its-impact-on-zimbabwean-immigrants-in-south-africa/
[9] Ibid
[10] MIGRATION AND COVID-19: A REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICA’S POLICY RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC (JULY 2020). Migration and Health Project South Africa.
[11]Nyathi, K. Traffickers dump South Africa-bound immigrants in Zimbabwe. 30 May. The East African. Available:
[12] Bosch, E. 2020. Continued Covid-19 lockdown sees rampant smuggling & desperation at border with Zimbabwe. 22 June. TimesLive. Available: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-06-22-watch-continued-covid-19-lockdown-sees-rampant-smuggling-desperation-at-border-with-zimbabwe/
[13] Moyo, J. Zimbabwe’s Cross Border Truck Drivers Smuggling COVID-19 Cases. 11 July. Ubuntu Times. Available: https://www.ubuntutimes.com/zimbabwes-cross-border-truck-drivers-smuggling-covid-19-cases/
[14] Washinyira, T. 2020. ‘There is nowhere to run to’ – Covid-19 pandemic leaves immigrants desperate for assistance. 27 May. News24. Available: https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/there-is-nowhere-to-run-to-covid-19-pandemic-leaves-immigrants-desperate-for-assistance-20200527