Recently, South Africa sent very different signals about its relationship with Zimbabwe. President Cyril Ramaphosa warmly hugged Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his inauguration in Harare. At the same time, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, was pushing forward with plans to deport Zimbabwean migrants from South Africa. These two actions seem to contradict each other, raising questions about what South Africa really wants when it comes to Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa’s hug with Mnangagwa took place right after Zimbabwe had a very controversial election. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) had called the election unfair and a “sham.” Many people thought Ramaphosa would take a strong stand against this. But instead of criticizing the election or distancing himself from Mnangagwa, he hugged him. This confused many people. Was this hug a sign that South Africa supports Zimbabwe’s election? Or was Ramaphosa trying to keep a good relationship with his neighbor for the sake of peace and stability?

Some people say that Ramaphosa’s hug might be about diplomacy. South Africa has always been important in keeping peace in the region, and maybe Ramaphosa thinks it’s better to stay close to Mnangagwa to avoid making things worse. Others, though, believe this hug looks like support for Mnangagwa, who has been accused of human rights abuses and cheating in the election.

Meanwhile, back in South Africa, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was not giving any hugs. Instead, he was moving ahead with plans to deport Zimbabwean migrants from South Africa. This policy seems to conflict with Ramaphosa’s warm attitude towards Zimbabwe’s president. Why is South Africa’s government acting friendly with Zimbabwe’s leader while at the same time making life harder for Zimbabweans living in South Africa?

Motsoaledi’s argument is that South Africa cannot keep allowing undocumented migrants to stay in the country. He says South Africa’s cities are becoming overcrowded, and resources like jobs and services are being stretched too thin. Motsoaledi thinks it is only fair to enforce the law and deport migrants who are in the country without proper documents.

However, critics of this policy argue that many Zimbabweans left their country because it is not safe or stable. The recent election, which many people believe was rigged, is just one example of why Zimbabweans flee to neighboring countries like South Africa. Sending these migrants back now, when things are still so difficult in Zimbabwe, feels harsh to many people.

South Africa is in a tough spot when it comes to Zimbabwe. On one hand, South Africa has a long history of standing up for democracy and human rights in the region. This is why it joined SADC in criticizing Zimbabwe’s election. On the other hand, South Africa is facing its own problems at home. With many undocumented migrants in the country, there is pressure to control immigration and make sure South African citizens are not suffering because of it.

What South Africa really needs is a clear and consistent approach. It cannot keep sending mixed signals. The government needs to figure out how to balance its relationship with Zimbabwe with the need to enforce immigration laws. This will not be easy. South Africa has to decide what it expects from Zimbabwe, especially when it comes to respecting human rights and democracy. At the same time, it must find a way to deal with Zimbabwean migrants that is fair and compassionate, but also upholds the law.

In the end, these recent events show just how complicated things are between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ramaphosa’s hug and Motsoaledi’s deportation plan are examples of how South Africa is trying to manage both its foreign relationships and its domestic problems. But to really succeed, South Africa needs to come up with a clear plan that makes sense both for its role as a leader in the region and for the people living within its own borders. A more coherent approach will help South Africa stay true to its values and continue to be an example for other countries in Africa.