by BAATSHEBA RAMASHALA in Musina & MELOKUHLE MAHLANGU in Nelspruit
South African Bureau
MUSINA, (CAJ News) – BUSINESSES in Musina, South Africa’s busiest border town, are reporting a sharp decline in trade amid heightened anti-migrant sentiment that has discouraged many cross-border shoppers and traders from neighbouring countries.
Located on the border with Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge crossing, Musina serves as one of Africa’s busiest trade gateways, connecting South Africa with Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, and, to a lesser extent, Burundi and Rwanda.
Local business owners say customer numbers have fallen significantly following increased hostility towards foreign nationals.
Entrepreneurs, taxi operators, retailers, informal traders and vehicle dealers say reduced cross-border movement has had an immediate economic impact.
Similar concerns have also been raised in Makhado and Limpopo’s provincial capital, Polokwane, where businesses that previously relied on regional customers are reportedly experiencing lower sales.
A comparable trend has emerged along the Lebombo border between South Africa and Mozambique.
Businesses in Mpumalanga, including those in Mbombela, have also reported declining trade, with analysts warning that continued disruptions to regional commerce could have wider economic consequences.
Netsai Takawira, speaking to CAJ News Africa in Musina, argued that the current climate has discouraged lawful travellers from entering South Africa.
“Despite government assurances that South Africans are not xenophobic, what is happening on the ground suggests otherwise. Even people travelling with valid passports and permits have faced intimidation. This is harming regional relations and ultimately damaging the economy,” Takawira said.
Taxi operators in Musina echoed these concerns, saying the steady flow of Zimbabwean shoppers who once supported local transport services and businesses has diminished considerably.
The issue has also sparked widespread debate on social media across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, with many commentators warning that anti-migrant rhetoric could ultimately damage South Africa’s own economy.
One commentator, identified as Ozart Mozart, described the situation as “catastrophic”, while another, posting as The Limpopo Citizens, noted that Musina’s economy had long depended on Zimbabwean traders who travelled legally to buy goods before returning home.
Musina resident Aluwani Mugwena said communities along the South Africa-Zimbabwe border had traditionally enjoyed peaceful relations and questioned the actions of groups targeting foreign nationals.
“We have always lived peacefully with our neighbours. Many local businesses here in Musina depended on cross-border trade. I used to earn between R2,600 and R5,000 a day transporting Zimbabwean traders between the town and the border. Now I make only R150 to R300 on a good day,” Mugwena said.
Regional visitors also expressed concerns about their safety.
Obert Mwansa from Zambia said he decided against purchasing tractor parts in Musina because he feared becoming a target, choosing instead to buy them in Harare despite the higher prices.
Frank Benteke, from the DRC, said many foreign visitors now viewed Musina as unsafe, while Dzunisani Xiluvana from Mozambique said fears over violence had persuaded her not to return to shop in South Africa.
Similarly, Simphiwe Simelane from Eswatini said he abandoned his shopping trip in Mbombela after allegedly being harassed several times before reaching local stores.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the past two decades, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
The 2008 attacks claimed more than 60 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Further incidents were recorded in subsequent years, including unrest in 2022 and renewed reports of attacks, looting and displacement during 2026.
Observers warn that unless tensions ease and confidence among regional travellers is restored, border communities that rely heavily on cross-border commerce could continue to face significant economic challenges.
– CAJ News