How many Zimbos are in South Africa? Nobody knows

The question about how many Zimbabweans are living in South Africa has vexed civil society, academics and even South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs for years. But there is still no solution. Nobody knows how many Zimbabweans are living in that country but the figure of three million is often bandied about.

A South African-based organisation- Africa Check- tried to establish the figure after being asked to look into claims that the number of Zimbabweans flocking in South Africa had almost doubled from 400 to 700 daily- since the 31 July elections won by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front but disputed by the Movement for Democratic Change which claims President Robert Mugabe stole the election.

It could not come up with an answer. But it argued that the number was nowhere near three million.

Africa Check said the Department of Home Affairs had failed to respond to its inquiries. It had sent emails to Jack Monedi, the chief director for permitting; Phindiwe Mbhele, another official in the department; Ronnie Mamoepa, the department’s spokesman; Jackie McKay, Immigration Service deputy director-general and Ben Makhalemele, Home Affairs deputy director.

It quotes Lunga Ngqengelele, official spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor as saying: “It has been over two weeks, and I am as yet to get a response to this simple query. Let alone confirmation that someone is working it.”

The South African census of 2011 said there were only about 1.7 million son-South African citizens. The World Bank and the United Nations say there are about 1.86 million. But there are sizeable numbers of Basuthu and Mozambiqans in South Africa.

Loren Landau of Wits University says both government and non-governmental organisations have a vested interest in exaggerating the figures- the government can justify more restrictions while NGOs can secure more donor funding.

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