ZANU-PF Finally Responds to Operation Dudula: “Stop Scapegoating and Fighting for Crumbs”
- Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU-PF, addressed Operation Dudula's operation barring migrants from accessing treatment at public health facilities
- ZANU-PF Director Farai Marapira criticised Operation Dudula and called on the movement to redirect its anger
- Previously, Operation Dudula had defended its campaign and vowed to take legal action after some of its members were arrested
Source: UGC
Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, has finally addressed Operation Dudula’s operations, alleging that they are being used by former colonial masters, a jibe usually reserved for the country’s opposition parties and activists. In recent months, Operation Dudula has been blocking access for migrants at South African health facilities.
In an exclusive interview with eNCA, ZANU-PF Director of Information, Farai Marapira, had some strong words for Operation Dudula, which has also come under scrutiny from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. He took jabs at the movement for fighting to get access to low-paying jobs rather than striving for ownership and empowerment. Farai Marapira said:
“It uses ignorant blacks who have no ideology to see an enemy in their brother and sister. It is sad that you will find someone wishing and fighting to be a restaurant worker in their own country when they have opportunity to be restaurant owners. How do you say you own a country and you're fighting to be a slave on those resources instead of being an owner of those resources?”
He added that Zimbabweans, like any African, have the right to work anywhere on the African continent. Marapira urged Operation Dudula to stop blaming migrants and focus on identifying the true cause of their struggles.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
“Zimbabweans have every right, as any African, to be anywhere on the continent of Africa. This is our home, Cape to Cairo. We advise the Dudula people to identify their real enemy, to identify the real cause, the real problem that faces them as a people, and to stop scapegoating and fighting for crumbs when they should be owning the bakery,” Marapira added.
Source: Facebook
Operation Dudula defends campaign
Meanwhile, Operation Dudula defended its campaign targeting undocumented migrants after the arrest of its members outside of the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic on 7 August 2025.
On 11 August, Operation Dudula returned to Lilian Ngoyi Clinic after its members were released with a warning after appearing before the Protea Magistrates Court on charges of public violence and contravening the National Health Act, among others.
Speaking to Briefly News, Dudula spokesperson Sifiso Manyala said that they had returned to the clinic to protect citizens' rights to access healthcare services without competition from undocumented migrants who unlawfully occupy public facilities.
Operation Dudula to take legal action after members are arrested
In related news, Operation Dudula threatened to take the South African Police Service to court, as reported by Briefly News.
Operation Dudula accused the police of illegally arresting three of their members who appeared in court and were released with a warning.
Three women between the ages of 49 and 60, were arrested after they allegedly disrupted services at the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
