Joseph Isangura
The Tanzanian government has assured Parliament that no Tanzanian citizen living legally in South Africa has been affected by the ongoing unrest and anti-foreigner tensions reported in parts of the country, dismissing viral social media videos as outdated footage that does not reflect the current situation.
The clarification was issued on Tuesday by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo while addressing concerns raised in Parliament over the safety of Tanzanians residing in South Africa. The minister sought to calm growing public anxiety following the circulation of videos and online reports alleging attacks against foreign nationals.
Speaking during the parliamentary session in Dodoma, Kombo said Tanzania’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria had closely monitored developments and confirmed that no Tanzanian holding valid legal documents had been harmed during the recent unrest.
“From Tanzania’s side, no Tanzanian living legally in South Africa has been affected. Those mostly affected are citizens from Malawi and Zimbabwe, many of whom do not possess valid work permits,” the minister told lawmakers.
The statement came in response to a question raised by Mlalo Member of Parliament Rashid Shangazi of the ruling CCM party, who had urged the government to provide an official update regarding reports spreading online about alleged violence and insecurity targeting immigrants and foreign workers.
The concern followed the rapid circulation of disturbing videos on social media platforms, many of which users claimed showed fresh attacks linked to xenophobic unrest in South Africa. However, Tanzanian authorities now say several of those clips are old videos being reshared online without proper context, fueling unnecessary fear among families with relatives living abroad.
The issue of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa has periodically drawn international attention over the years, especially during outbreaks of unrest in urban communities where tensions over unemployment, crime, and economic inequality have sometimes led to attacks against migrant populations from other African countries.
Although the Tanzanian government acknowledged that unrest has affected some foreign nationals, officials emphasized that no confirmed cases involving legally documented Tanzanians had been recorded. Kombo also stressed the importance of proper immigration documentation for citizens living overseas, saying legal status plays a critical role in helping governments respond quickly during emergencies or security incidents.
The minister urged Tanzanians working and residing abroad to ensure they maintain valid residence and employment permits to avoid complications with local authorities and to make diplomatic follow-up easier if crises emerge.
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Political analysts say the government’s statement was aimed not only at clarifying misinformation but also at preventing panic among Tanzanian families concerned about relatives living in South Africa, which remains one of the continent’s largest destinations for migrant workers and business communities.
The debate in Parliament also reflects broader concerns across Africa regarding the spread of misinformation through social media, particularly during sensitive political or security situations. Authorities in several countries have increasingly warned citizens against sharing unverified videos or recycled footage that can inflame tensions and create confusion.
Despite the reassurance from officials, Tanzanian authorities said they will continue monitoring the situation through the embassy in Pretoria and maintain communication with citizens living in South Africa should conditions change.
For now, the government insists that Tanzanians residing legally in South Africa remain safe, while encouraging citizens abroad to comply fully with immigration laws and avoid relying on unverified information circulating online.
