South Africa Minister McKenzie sparks outrage with comments on Zimbabweans

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has come under fire after accusing Zimbabweans of celebrating his country’s misfortunes, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to South Africa.

In a tweet on his X account, McKenzie alleged that undocumented migrants, particularly Zimbabweans, were among those rejoicing over South Africa’s challenges. “Whenever South Africa is faced with tragedy or bad news, the people celebrating are always these illegal foreigners, particularly Zimbabweans. Your time in SA is running out fast,” he wrote.

The remarks have ignited fierce backlash, with Zimbabweans rejecting McKenzie’s accusations and labeling them as divisive and unfounded. Many pointed out Zimbabweans’ historic solidarity with South Africa, including support during events like the Rugby World Cup.

Zimbabwean lawyer Fadzayi Mahere called the remarks “grossly inaccurate,” adding, “Zimbabweans are ever rooting for South Africa and wishing it the best – in all spheres. The hate is in your head, not borne out by the facts on the ground. We need new leaders.”

Other critics accused McKenzie of scapegoating Zimbabweans instead of addressing the underlying causes of U.S. actions or challenging figures like Elon Musk or Afrikaner interest groups. Social media erupted with reactions, some labeling his statements as “dangerous” and accusing him of stoking xenophobia.

Despite McKenzie’s claims, many Zimbabweans emphasized their shared struggles with South Africans and warned against inflaming tensions during challenging times.