Latest news with #OperationDudulaMovement
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Unity and land reform take centre stage at Soweto community gathering
Siyabonga Sithole | Published 1 day ago The unity of black people with their Colored counterparts and the return of land to rightful owners were some of the hot topics during a gathering of community-based organisations, including members of the Operation Dudula Movement, Black Entrepreneurs Alliance, and the Soweto Alliance. The dialogue was held at the Anchor Comprehensive School in Orlando West, Soweto, on Saturday. uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, said that for poor black South Africans to regain their land, which was stolen through conquest and legislation, the unity of black people across all ethnic groups needs to be paramount. "The only way we resolve the issue of land dispossession is for us as Black people to unite against those who have a problem with us, which is those who own the land that belongs to us. Those who have been bought must not disturb the process that should unfold of returning the land to its rightful owners. Our traditional leaders successfully reclaimed the land in 1994, but those leading us have failed to return the land to the people. The documents and all the proof are there," he stated. Operation Dudula's Bhekani Thusi stated: "Now more than ever, we must meet and unite as South Africans to find a common goal to deal with the issue of land, immigration, and the economy because we have become spectators in our land. We have just come from a very progressive march in KZN." Chief Xam Keith Duarte, who is part of the Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee and represents the Khoi San and the people of Eldorado Park, decried the lack of support the Coloured community receives from the government, especially when it comes to housing and human settlements. As a result, he revealed that he and other community leaders in Eldorado Park have identified land which they plan to roll out to community members who have not benefited from the country's Redistribution and Development Programme (RDP) for the past 30 years. "As the people of Eldorado Park, and what has brought us here today, is the issue of Operation Occupation. We are now occupying all the vacant land and spaces in Eldorado Park for human settlement. We are doing this because, for over 31 years, there has not been a single RDP house built for our people. All the RDP and mega housing projects happen around us and not in our community, and when it comes to allocation of these projects, we are told, because we do not stay in that region, we cannot be allocated houses," he stated. With more community meetings envisaged, the gathering hopes to speak in one voice as they take their issues to Parliament later this year. [email protected]
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Unity and land reform take centre stage at Soweto community gathering
uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, speaking during a community meeting on Saturday, said that only the unity of black people will help resolve the issue of land in the country. Image: Siyabonga Sithole/IOL The unity of black people with their Colored counterparts and the return of land to rightful owners were some of the hot topics during a gathering of community-based organisations, including members of the Operation Dudula Movement, Black Entrepreneurs Alliance, and the Soweto Alliance. The dialogue was held at the Anchor Comprehensive School in Orlando West, Soweto, on Saturday. uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, said that for poor black South Africans to regain their land, which was stolen through conquest and legislation, the unity of black people across all ethnic groups needs to be paramount. "The only way we resolve the issue of land dispossession is for us as Black people to unite against those who have a problem with us, which is those who own the land that belongs to us. Those who have been bought must not disturb the process that should unfold of returning the land to its rightful owners. Our traditional leaders successfully reclaimed the land in 1994, but those leading us have failed to return the land to the people. The documents and all the proof are there," he stated. Operation Dudula's Bhekani Thusi stated: "Now more than ever, we must meet and unite as South Africans to find a common goal to deal with the issue of land, immigration, and the economy because we have become spectators in our land. We have just come from a very progressive march in KZN." Chief Xam Keith Duarte, who is part of the Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee and represents the Khoi San and the people of Eldorado Park, decried the lack of support the Coloured community receives from the government, especially when it comes to housing and human settlements.
IOL News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Operation Dudula's impact: KwaZulu-Natal's verification process delayed
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has announced the postponement of its extensive verification process aimed at accounting for all staff and learners across the province. Image: Doctor Ngcobo The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has announced the postponement of its extensive verification process aimed at accounting for all staff and learners across the province, a move that has coincided with a rising tide of activism from the controversial Operation Dudula Movement. In a recent circular, the department confirmed that the verification was intended to eradicate ghost employees and inflated learner numbers that compromise the integrity of school funding allocations. This process was set to commence on 30 July 2025 and would have required employees and learners to present crucial documentation such as identity documents and birth certificates. Employees who failed to comply would face salary freezes, while undocumented learners were to be removed from school registers. "The KwaZulu Natal Department of Education has resolved to postpone the employee and learner verification process, issued under circular No:75 of 2025, until further notice. The said process was scheduled to commence from 30 July 2025 for the head office officials. Management and/or supervisors are advised to bring the said postponement to the attention of all staff as well as the project team members," the department said. While the postponement notice does not mention undocumented learners, the original circular stated that the verification process would include those deemed to be undocumented learners. "Employee and learner verification process including undocumented KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will be implementing the Employee and Learner Verification project. This project is aimed at physically verifying employees and learners in all the schools, circuits, districts and head office of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education. "The project will assist the department to deal decisively with the risk of infiltrated learner numbers and the potential for existence of ghost employees, whilst ensuring that the department pays salaries to the correct number of employees as well as allocate Norms and Standards funds to schools for an accurate number of learners," it said. The department indicated that during this process, employees would be required to produce identity documents, and sign employee declaration forms, while learners would be required to produce their birth certificates or identity documents as well as passports. Meanwhile, Operation Dudula Movement leader, Zandile Dubula has vowed to take her new campaign to schools across the country in the new year. "We are going to schools. We are going to launch a campaign at the end of December so that in the first week of January 2026, we are going to be stationed at schools. We are saying no illegal foreign child will be attending public schools. They can rather take them to private schools. We do not mind that, but public schools are going to be reserved for South African children only." The upcoming campaign by the movement comes hot on the heels of the Operation Dudula campaign which has been supported by the March on March movement in KZN, where scores of alleged undocumented immigrants have been turned away at local clinics and hospitals in KZN, Gauteng and other parts of the country. This campaign has received criticism from human rights organisations as well as some government departments, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, who called this campaign xenophobic during his recent address to the delegates of the African National Congress Liberation Movements Summit, last week. "We must reject xenophobia in all its forms. Migration in itself, must not be seen as a threat. It is a consequence of underdevelopment, war, and global inequality, not a moral failing of those who migrate in search of hope. As liberation movements, we must advocate for people-centered regional migration policies that affirm dignity, rights, and solidarity as well," he said. Reacting to the call by Operation Dudula, speaking on behalf of Abahlali Basemjondolo, Mqapheli Bonono, slammed the movement's campaigns targeting vulnerable groups saying though Abahlali feel Dudula's frustration, denying immigrants basic rights contradicts the spirit of ubuntu and the country's constitution. "As Abahlai Basemjondolo, we are opposed to Operation Dudula's recent campaign at healthcare facilities as well as the new campaign they want to start. Their campaigns are against the spirit of ubuntu and the country's democratic ideals, espoused by our constitution. How can you deny a child access to education. Some of the children they plan to prevent have already been studying and to stop them from continuing with their education would be inhumane. Even those who are sick, they are still human beings who must be allowed to access healthcare," he stated. Attempts to get clarity from the KZN education department on the reasons for their verification process were not successful at the time of going to print. s[email protected]
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi urges compassion over confrontation in immigration crisis
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has urged citizens to reconsider their approach to the nation's immigration crisis, particularly regarding access to healthcare services. Image: Gauteng Gov/X Chasing away illegal immigrants from hospitals, clinics, and other government institutions will not help resolve the illegal immigration crisis South Africa is facing. This is according to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who called on Operation Dudula Movement and other groups manning hospital and clinic entrances in a bid to stop alleged undocumented immigrants from accessing healthcare, to refrain from this approach. On Thursday, scores of Operation Dudula Movement members in Durban and Johannesburg marched to the respective head offices of the South African Human Rights Commission against NGOs, such as Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), the Helen Suzman Foundation, and other organisations, who are being accused of protecting undocumented foreign nationals at the expense of poor South Africans. Over the past few months, March in March and Operation Dudula members have embarked on a nationwide campaign to stop immigrants from accessing healthcare services in clinics and hospitals across the country, sparking outrage and widespread condemnation from the National Department of Health and other sectors of society. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Reacting to the widespread campaign, SERI and Abahlali Basemjondolo called out the actions of Operation Dudula, saying the movement's anger is misdirected. The comments come after Operation Dudula staged a protest outside SERI offices in Braamfontein on Thursday, accusing the institute of protecting undocumented immigrants. While speaking to SABC News on Thursday, Lesufi acknowledged that the issue of immigration in the country, especially in Gauteng, had reached crisis level. He, however, cautioned against South Africans taking the law into their hands, saying this approach is not helping with the current crisis. "I am of the strong view that we have either mismanaged or delayed dealing with the issue of undocumented immigrants. However, I do not believe we can resolve this by closing clinics or chasing people away. We need to dive deep into the problems. We, as a country, need to respond to this problem," he stated. In a statement, the SAHRC said it was 'deeply concerned by reports of healthcare facilities that deny treatment to individuals based on nationality or documentation status. Such practices are not only unethical and unlawful but also inconsistent with South Africa's obligations under both domestic and international human rights law'. Lesufi indicated that the government has failed to address the challenges that have led South Africans and civil society to chase away those deemed illegal immigrants. "I do not think we have had the necessary energy on this particular matter. This is a serious problem. Gauteng, we are the bearers of the huge numbers, because of our economic position. But to think that we can resolve this by chasing people away from clinics and hospitals, I do not think that is the correct approach. This is merely a symptom, and we need to dig deeper into the problem and attend to it. As a province, we have identified this as a key problem because it affects our infrastructure. Unfortunately, it also affects, in some instances, some elements of crime as well," he said.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Operation Dudula's campaign against immigrants raises healthcare access concerns
In a controversial move that has sparked outrage and concern, the Operation Dudula Movement, led by Zandile Dabula, is intensifying its campaign against undocumented foreign nationals across South Africa. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers With scores of undocumented foreign nationals currently being turned away at Addington Hospital in Durban and other health facilities in parts of the country this week, the leader of the Operation Dudula Movement, Zandile Dabula, has vowed to continue the movement's anti-foreigner healthcare campaign across the country. Eric Jean Butoki, who represents the Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum (SAROF), slammed the countrywide campaign, saying it is putting the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and foreign nationals at risk. This comes as more than 50 patients, believed to be undocumented foreign nationals, have allegedly been turned away at Durban's biggest hospital since the start of the campaign outside Addington Hospital on Tuesday. "We are concerned about this operation, which has prevented foreign nationals, including asylum seekers and genuine refugees, from accessing medical help. Some of these people are on chronic medication and have made appointments to be treated on the scheduled dates. For us, we are disappointed by this Operation Dudula-sponsored campaign. As a result, Butoki has called on the government to establish permanent refugee camps to help resolve the matter. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In various videos circulated on social media over the past week, scores of immigrants seeking medical attention have been turned away, resulting in the South African Human Rights Commission issuing a statement stating that the South African Constitution allows foreigners, including asylum seekers and refugees, the same rights to healthcare as South African citizens. "The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) reminds the public and all relevant stakeholders that the right to access to healthcare services in South Africa is a universal right afforded to anyone within the Republic of South Africa," the commission said. Citing Section 27 (1) of the SA Constitution 1996, the commission indicated that South Africa has a provision to give healthcare access to South African citizens, refugees and asylum seekers, documented and undocumented foreign nationals, including stateless persons. "The Constitution does not qualify or limit this right based on immigration status or citizenship. Furthermore, under Section 27(3), no one may be refused emergency medical treatment. This provision ensures that emergency healthcare must be provided unconditionally by both the public and the private healthcare facilities," it said. Responding to this statement, Dabula said: "We will not be bullied by the likes of the SAHRC, because firstly, they are advocating for people who are in this country illegally. When you come to this country, you must be properly documented, and if you are documented, then you need to have certain permits. For those who are here to work, they must have a work permit, and those permits must come together with medical insurance, but they do not do that. Even Section 17 of the Constitution says that." As a result, Dabula said South Africa cannot be expected to shoulder immigrants who do not have respect for the country's laws, which is why the ongoing campaign will be intensified. "We have always said life comes first, and we will not turn away someone we can see that they require emergency medical care and might lose their lives in the process. However, what needs to happen is that they need to be arrested for being here in this country, illegally, then they can access treatment," she added. ActionSA has also weighed in on the ongoing campaign, saying the SAHRC statement is promoting the abuse of South Africa's resources through the misapplication of Section 27 of the Constitution, which is why the party has recently called for the amendment of the Constitution. Reacting to the stand-off between Operation Dudula and the SAHRC, Dr Shadi Ganoe from the Wits School of Law, indicated that while students and other migrants are required to provide their medical care insurance, the Constitution insists that no one should be refused healthcare based on their citizenship. "For example, in terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004, any prospective international student must have medical cover with a medical scheme registered under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998. This ensures that foreign students do not rely on public health services and can access private care. "This requirement is part of the visa process and is strictly enforced. This makes foreign students and other documented long-term visa holders easy to track and regulate health care costs. They are expected to carry the burden of their own medical needs, unlike undocumented persons or asylum seekers, who may have no formal coverage at all. Still, South Africa's Constitution remains firm: Section 27(3) says, 'No one may be refused emergency medical treatment.' This applies to everyone, citizen or not, documented or not," she said.
