Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE xenophobic campaign by the vigilante group, Operation Dudula, was stopped on Tuesday when the Johannesburg High Court issued an interdict barring the group and its leaders from interfering with foreigners’ access to essential services, including healthcare and education.
In a landmark ruling, Judge Leicester Adams, declared Operation Dudula’s conduct, which included harassing, intimidating and demanding identity documents from persons attempting to access hospitals and schools as “explicitly unlawful”.
The judgment confirms that the power to demand identification documents and verify residency status rests exclusively with immigration and police officers, not private citizens or vigilante groups.
Judge Adams’ order directly restrains Operation Dudula and its named leaders, Zandile Dabula and Dan Radebe, from continuing to demand that any private person produce a passport or identity document to prove their right to be in the Republic.
The court found that the movement’s actions, such as removing teachers and learners from schools based on nationality, amounted to a violation of basic human rights.
The case was spearheaded by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) on behalf of a coalition of organisations, including Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX), the South African Informal Traders Forum (SAITF), the Inner City Federation (ICF), and Abahlali baseMjondolo.
The group that has been harassing foreigners, including Zimbabweans residing in South Africa, was also slapped in the face recently by its government after Pretoria extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) until May 28, 2027.
The special permits for 178 000 Zimbabwe immigrants were due to expire at the end of next month before the extension by Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber on Tuesday.
“I Schreiber, MP, Minister of Home Affairs, with the powers bestowed upon me in terms of section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act (Immigration Act) has decided to extend the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) until May 28, 2027,” the minister said in a statement recently.
“Pending the conclusion of consultations, I (appointed) the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) with effect from April 1, 2025.
“The IAB has met on several occasions and deliberated among themselves on the immediate future and a long-term solution for holders of ZEP permits.
“Existing ZEPs shall be deemed to remain valid for an additional eight months after the current expiry date of November 28, 2025.”
ZEP holders and illegal immigrants in that country were facing constant attack from vigilante groups such as Dudula and being barred from accessing health facilities such as clinics and hospitals, as well as education facilities for their children.
The vigilante groups were also targeting company owners, questioning why they employed foreign nationals.
Dudula members were also targeting children of foreigners, saying they should be barred from attending that country’s public schools.
