On Borders and the Liminality of Undocumented Zimbabwean Migrants in South Africa

Abstract

The historical continuities of the Zimbabwe–South Africa crossborder migrations provide a context in which such movements have continued, despite securitized borders, in post-apartheid South Africa. Based on a qualitative study of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants in three places; namely, the Beitbridge border, South African border town of Musina and the city of Johannesburg, between December 2014 and March 2015, I argue that, securitizing the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe leads to human smuggling, which places smuggled migrants in liminality and marginality, which in turn militates against the goal of free human mobility in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Keywords:

• Borders
• human smuggling
• undocumented migrants
• Zimbabwe
• South Africa

Notes

1 Beitbridge border post refers to the official entry and exit point between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

2 Musina is a South African town situated approximately 17 kilometers from the Beitbridge border.

3 Johannesburg is the largest city of South Africa, situated approximately 521 kilometers from the Beitbridge border post.

4 In 2009, the South African government approved the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP), which allowed Zimbabwean holders of such a permit to work, conduct business, and study in South Africa. The objectives of the DZP permits were to regularize undocumented Zimbabweans residing in South Africa, curb the deportation of Zimbabweans who were undocumented in South Africa, reduce pressure on the asylum seeker and refugee regime, and provide amnesty to Zimbabweans who obtained South African documents fraudulently. Retrieved from http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=680706&sn=Detail/28022015.

5 The DZP permits were to be replaced by a Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP), which allows Zimbabweans to live, work, conduct business, and study in South Africa until December 31, 2017. These ZSP permits contain several conditions such as that the permit is nonrenewable and that the holders do not qualify for permanent residence. At the expiration of the permits, Zimbabweans should leave the Republic of South Africa and apply for other permits from Zimbabwe.

6 The Department of Home Affairs offers a multitude of services to the citizens of South Africa and to foreigners who wish to visit, work, or stay in South Africa. Firstly, the DHA is custodian, protector, and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons who are residents of South Africa. This makes it possible for people to realize their rights and access benefits and opportunities in both the public and private domains. By expanding these services to marginalized communities, the department is a key enabler in deepening democracy and social justice. Secondly, the DHA controls, regulates, and facilitates immigration and the movement of persons through ports of entry. Retrieved from http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/about-us.

7 The 2016–2019 Labour Migration Action Plan has been developed based on current status of the implementation of the 2013–2015 Labour Migration Action Plan approved in 2013 by the ELS and the existing policy instruments including the 2014 SADC Labour Migration Policy Framework and SADC Employment and Labour Protocol. Retrieved from https://www.iom.int/…/SADC-Labour-Migration-Action-Plan-for-2016-2019.docx.