Tinotenda Hove – Veteran ZANU-PF politician and Senator for Matabeleland South Province, Richard Maduke Ndlovu, has come out in defence of Zimbabwean nationals living and working in South Africa, saying they are being unfairly blamed for the country’s deepening unemployment crisis.

Ndlovu made the remarks on Saturday, 10 January 2026, during an interview with Newzroom Afrika journalist Junior Khumalo at Moruleng Stadium in South Africa’s North West Province, where he was attending celebrations to mark the African National Congress (ANC)’s 114th anniversary.

During the discussion, Khumalo pointed out that many South Africans, particularly in the North West Province, feel aggrieved by the impact of illegal mining, which they say is depriving locals of jobs. He added that some residents believe the ANC’s close relationship with Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF has contributed to a lack of decisive action on undocumented migrants.

Responding, Ndlovu argued that Zimbabweans have historically played a significant role in South Africa’s mining sector and should not be singled out for today’s economic hardships.
“Long back, the miners were from Zimbabwe. So it is only now that unemployment has created the problem,” Ndlovu said.

He stressed that the real issue is the scarcity of jobs rather than the presence of foreign workers. “There’s no employment, hence there is this type of anomaly. But I believe they must bear with them,” he said.

Ndlovu also cited South Africa’s large population as a factor intensifying competition for limited employment opportunities.
“I know the population in South Africa is so big. Yeah, it’s so big,” he said.

He concluded by noting that economic pressure often leads to public frustration being directed at the wrong targets. “So when everybody is out of employment, they begin to blame the government. But it is not the case.”