Operation Dudula Slammed As It Hits Public Schools To Remove Foreign Nationals’ Children

• Operation Dudula has shifted its target to public schools in a continuation of its anti-illegal migrant campaign
• The organisation visited a public school in Soweto and confronted staff members for admitting illegal immigrant children
• South Africans weighed in on the campaign, and some pointed out that some schools in Gauteng have a large number of foreign nationals
• Operation Dudula spoke to Briefly News about the role of the government in addressing illegal immigration
• Briefly News also spoke to migration expert Silindile Mlilo about Operation Dudula's campaign

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

DIEPKLOOF, SOWETO — Operation Dudula has turned its sights to the public education system and visited a public school in Soweto on 22 September 2025. This was after it promised to remove foreign nationals' children from public schools in Gauteng in 2026.

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Dudula visited a primary school in Diepkloof. In a video Newzroom Afrika posted on X, the party's president, Zandile Dabula, asks a staff member for assistance. She asks for the contact details of someone to whom the party can provide their letter of demand. The unseen staff member agrees to assist.

Dabula explains Operation Dudula's campaign

Dabula addressed the media outside the school. She said that the party wants prioritisation of South African children. She said that only after the South African children are admitted will they allow well-documented children to enter the school. She alleged that most of the foreign national children in school are not fully documented.

Operation Dudula recently defended its campaign of removing undocumented foreign nationals from public healthcare facilities in Gauteng. This was after two of its members were arrested in Diepkloof for removing a pregnant woman from the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic premises. The members were then released on a warning.

Operation Dudula speaks to Briefly News

Operation Dudula spoke to Briefly News about the role the government should play in curbing illegal immigration. The organisation said that the government has a constitutional duty to manage borders, enforce immigration laws, and protect citizens.

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"We call for stronger border control, clear verification systems for access to jobs and public services, prioritization of citizens in employment, housing, education, and healthcare, nd transparent engagement with communities to rebuild trust," the organisation said.

Briefly News speaks to an expert

Speaking to Briefly News, migration expert Dr Silindile Mlilo, the Project Manager for the African Centre for Migration and Society, slammed Operation Dudula's campaign.

"Targeting schools is not only unconstitutional but is a violation of children’s rights and may lead to unwarranted impacts such as confrontations to intimidate school staff, children, and their families. This can further lead to unlawful refusal of immigrant children to access education, may lead to absenteeism, or withdrawals by migrant learners," she said.

Netizens comment on Dudula's movement

Netizens commenting on X weighed in on Operation Dudula's new target.

Vinny said:

"A quick way to get into Parliament in South Africa is to go against foreigners. You'll be elected tomorrow."

Ba-Amy asked:

"How are the police just quiet?"

Uncensored said:

"Operation Dudula is for poor South Africans who have to fight for health resources with undocumented foreigners."

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Fanya Mambo Africa asked:

"How can a balance be struck between prioritising local students and ensuring the right to education for all?"

Mbuaso P Siera said:

"It's a no-brainer. The struggle for freedom was not for the whole world to flock to South Africa for free public healthcare, education, and municipal services at the expense of previously disadvantaged communities."

Brizb said:

"I still don't understand the logic of going after schools and hospitals. How do you build a sustainable movement rooted in such practices?"

Mziwandile Ndlovuk said:

"They must be arrested for trespassing and disrupting learning."

EFF lays charges against Operation Dudula

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) laid criminal charges against Operation Dudula. The Red Berets opened a case to stop the party from removing undocumented foreign nationals.

The EFF's Gauteng chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, opened the case at the Alexandra Police Station. He said the movement operates like a vigilante group.

Source: Briefly News