Urgent calls for drug use prevention
In Drug Awareness Week, we ask, what's driving this surge in substance abuse? What's being done to curb it? And are we winning or losing the fight?
To unpack all this, eNCA is joined by Sanca national coordinator, Alexandrina Vermeulen, in studio; Motshabi Nkoane, a social work policy manager at the Department of Social Development, and writer Jesse Copelyn in London.
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The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Operation Dudula demands release of members detained
The Operation Dudula member described the detained members as "patriots" and "South African citizens that have taken a stand" against what they perceive as illegal immigration. Three Operation Dudula members remain in custody at Diepkloof Police Station following their arrest at the Lillian Ngoyi Clinic on Thursday. The women were detained after allegedly entering the clinic's maternity ward and attempting to remove a pregnant woman they claimed was a foreign national. Operation Dudula supporters demand release Operation Dudula members gathered at the Diepkloof Police Station from early Friday morning, demanding the immediate release of their detained colleagues. We will not be intimidated by our own government. Let's meet in Diepkloof Police Station at 8:00 for a proper shutdown of Diepkloof Police Station. — Operation Dudula (@0perationDudula) August 8, 2025 The group maintains its members were conducting legitimate operations to identify illegal foreigners allegedly accessing South African healthcare services. According to Operation Dudula member Thami, the three women entered the clinic to establish facts about foreign nationals in the facility. 'These three members had gotten inside to go and establish the facts and find out who is an illegal foreigner in the country,' Thami explained to eNCA. 'They had not even gotten to ask those questions. But they were in the maternity ward to try and find out.' Thami emphasised that the organisation follows specific protocols during their operations. 'When we conduct this operation, we engage with the staff first before we engage with whoever is not supposed to be there,' he said. ALSO READ: Why mass deportation is failing SA's immigration system Operation Dudula arrests and allegations The detained members claim they were arrested without proper procedure. In a viral video seen by The Citizen, one of the arrested women described the incident: 'We are in a van, we were arrested, foreigners have filled up Koos Clinic and its maternity ward. We don't know which account we have been arrested on.' She alleged that someone named Zodwa called the police on them. 'Zodwa always harasses us at clinics when we do our programmes. Today, she called the police on us, and more than 20 police officers came to us, the three women commanders,' the woman said. The arrested member claimed procedural violations during the arrest. 'We are travelling right now, and we don't even know which police station they're taking us to. They just told us that we are getting arrested; they didn't even read us our rights. We were just put inside the van.' According to video footage taken by Operation Dodula members, the three arrested women are identified as Cindy, Xoli, and Mamsi. It remains unclear which of the three was speaking in the viral arrest video. ALSO READ: Operation Dudula wanting to know why organisations prioritise foreign nationals Threats of Diepkloof Police Station shutdown Operation Dodula leader Zandile Dabula issued strong warnings following the arrests. 'Today, our commanders were arrested in Diepkloof. The charges are that they are impersonating immigration officers, police and labour inspectors,' Dabula said. She threatened broader action if the women are not released. 'We are going to make a call that everyone… If this country has to be closed, it's going to be a shutdown. Let's do that because we are not going to be intimidated by the police,' Dabula declared. Organisation's position on healthcare access Thami defended the group's actions as the enforcement of constitutional rights. He argued that foreign nationals were 'stealing our medication, abusing our system, our health care systems' and 'should not be given those rights because constitutionally they are not supposed to get those rights.' The Operation Dudula member described their detained colleagues as 'patriots' and 'South African citizens that have taken a stand' against what they perceive as illegal immigration. Police response Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed the women are in custody. 'They have not yet been charged, but they are still in custody,' Muridili told The Citizen. 'The charges that they are facing now are trespassing.' This response rebuts Dabula's claim that the charges are more serious, including impersonating immigration officers, police, and labour inspectors. Muridili said she would confirm when and where the three women will appear in court. READ NEXT: Saps probes officers after video shows police offloading beer bottles at liquor store
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Sheba Mine arrests climb to 550 as operation continues
The total number of suspected illegal miners arrested at Sheba Mine in Barberton has risen 550, including six minors. The operation to retrieve the miners from underground began on Friday, August 1. Some of the arrested suspects are from the Kingdom of eSwatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, while others are South Africans. ALSO READ: Another 28 miners surface at Barberton's Sheba Mine According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, mine security and law enforcement continue to monitor the situation, but the full extent of the operation remains unclear. Investigators are working in collaboration with officials from the Department of Social Development. ALSO READ: WATCH: About 1 000 suspected illegal miners arrested in Barberton Twenty-four of the suspects who were arrested on Friday were granted R2 000 bail each on August 4. The remaining suspects are expected to appear in court on August 11 and 12. The suspects who were arrested on Monday and Tuesday are appearing in the Barberton Magistrate's Court today, August 6. Mdhluli also dismissed allegations that the police starved the illegal miners underground during the operation. #sapsMP [DEVELOPING] Approximately 1000 (or even more) illegal immigrants were apprehended at a certain mine in Barberton today, Friday 01/08 during Operation Vala Umgodi. The collaboration between the National Roving team, K9 (Dog) Unit, Task Force, Vukalanga Security, members… — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 2, 2025 'It has come to the attention of the police that there have been claims suggesting the suspects were denied food while underground, leading to perceptions of a violation of human rights. ALSO READ: Barberton Court grants bail to 26 suspected illegal miners The primary objective of Operation Vala Umgodi is to enhance safety and security in the area while addressing unlawful mining activities,' he said. 'As efforts by law enforcement agencies intensified, the smooth running of illegal mining was disrupted. The illegal miners above ground had to retreat and abandon their operations, which included supplying food to those still underground,' he explained. #sapsMP [UPDATE] Today, Monday 04/08, law enforcement agencies, arrested 24 suspects at the mine in Barberton where other illegal miners were arrested on Friday, adding the number to 518 in total. A firearm, with ammo, was also recovered from one of the arrested suspects.… — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 4, 2025 Mdhluli stated that the SAPS is fully committed to upholding human rights in all operations. 'The police operate within the framework of the law and always prioritise the safety and well-being of all individuals involved, regardless of their circumstances.' Breakdown:Friday (August 1): 496 individuals came to the surface. Monday (August 4): 24 individuals came to the surface. One was found with a firearm and ammunition. Tuesday (August 5): 30 individuals came to the surface.
eNCA
4 days ago
- eNCA
Pupil charged with attempted murder
JOHANNESBURG - A high school pupil accused of bullying another scholar, is facing attempted murder charges. The teenager is believed to have been part of a group that attacked a schoolmate so badly, the victim had to undergo surgery. READ: Government calls on society to act against bullying in schools This violence, common at South African schools, has sparked widespread protests by pupils in Vosloorus. eNCA reporter Hloni Mtimkulu has more.
