South African Correspondent
Anti-immigrant vigilantes, Operation Dudula, have launched a campaign to remove undocumented children from South African public schools, starting in Soweto. The group delivered letters to school principals demanding that pupils without legal documentation be barred from enrolling for the 2026 academic year.
Key Quotes from Operation Dudula Leader
- “We are here to remind principals, more especially about the Basic Education Amendment Act… that when they admit foreigners in their schools, they need to make sure there’s proper documentation, due to a passport, study visa or permanent residency,” said Zandile Dabula, Operation Dudula leader.
- “No South African child will be deprived of education in favour of illegal foreigners,” Dabula added.
Reaction to Operation Dudula’s Campaign
Activists have warned that Operation Dudula’s campaign is based on a false narrative that scapegoats foreigners for government failures, encouraging xenophobic sentiments.
“Recognising the false narrative used to scapegoat foreigners for government failures and encourage xenophobic sentiments” is crucial in addressing this issue, according to an Equal Education researcher and an attorney with the Equal Education Law Centre.
Operation Dudula’s Plans
Dabula confirmed that Soweto is the first of 11 schools the group plans to visit, beginning in Ward 29, where Operation Dudula is contesting a by-election.
“This is just the start of it. This is the first one. We are going to use it as an example to show that this is not acceptable,” Dabula said.
Controversy Surrounding Dabula’s Citizenship
During the launch in Soweto, Dabula faced public accusations that she herself is Zimbabwean — a claim she strongly denied.
“I’m a bona fide citizen of this country. I was born and bred in Diepkloof in Soweto and not in Zimbabwe,” she told reporters.
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