Operation Dudula

Last updated

Operation Dudula is an organisation which turned into a political party in South Africa. The group is widely recognised as being xenophobic, [1] and has been linked with violently threatening and targeting both legal and illegal migrants. [2] The group blames South Africa's porous borders, lenient immigration practices and the presence of migrants for many of South Africa's social issues. [3]

Contents

Operation Dudula was established in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg, and has since spread to other parts of the country. "Dudula" means to "force out" or "knock down" in isiZulu, and refers to the movement's goal to expel migrants. [1] [3] [2] Although they have been accused of violently targeting immigrants, Operation Dudula denies having any connection to xenophobic motives. [4] [5]

Origins, aims and activities

Operation Dulula was founded by Nhlanhla "Lux" Dlamini (also Mohlauhi). [1] Dlamini rose to prominence for his role in defending Maponya Mall from looters in the July 2021 unrest. The group emerged from discourse that blamed migrants for the fallout and economic hardship of COVID-19 deaths and lockdowns. [3] Operation Dudula led their first march on 16 June 2021 through Soweto targeting people they that they believed were foreign drug traffickers and businesses that they thought employed immigrants. [4] The march increased their popularity and in the following months, several other anti-immigrant groups also going by Dudula or some variation of the name, such as the separate Alexandra Dudula Movement, were established. [1] In April 2022, Operation Dudula expanded to Durban, KwaZulu Natal, [6] and in May 2022, to Western Cape Province. [7]

Operation Dudula states that its campaign is aimed at addressing crime, a lack of jobs and poor health services caused by an "influx of illegal immigrants". [1] They have campaigned for small businesses to only employ South Africans, and for migrant shop keepers to close down and leave South Africa. [1] Operation Dudula has been accused of a number of instances of violence against African immigrants in South African townships, including forcibly closing shops and raiding properties. [8]

In March 2022, Dlamini was arrested on charges of orchestrating a raid of EFF member Victor Ramerafe's Dobsonville home where Operation Dudula claimed drugs were being sold; [9] he duly received two suspended sentences. [10] In July 2022, Dlamini left Operation Dudula to concentrate on his work with the Soweto Parliament; this was due to disagreements between the two groups over immigration. [11]

In July and August 2022, Operation Dudula targeted and confronted illegal migrants who occupied buildings in Johannesburg's inner city. [12] The group has no membership structure, is highly visible on social media and is composed of mainly affected community members. [3]

In May 2023, it declared itself as a political party intending to contest the 2024 elections. [13]

Other organisations associated with Operation Dudula include: [3]

Response

Operation Dudula has been termed Afrophobic. [14] Supporters of migrant rights argue that Operation Dudula is unjustly blaming migrants for economic hardship caused by South Africa's deep inequality. [8]

Some opposition groups against Operation Dudula have been formed. Kopanang Africa against Xenophobia is a group established in opposition to Operation Dudula. [15]

In April 2022, after civil society pressure, president Cyril Ramaphosa denounced Operation Dudula as illegal vigilantism. [16] Although Operation Dudula is unaffiliated with a political party, its leaders have received public support from Patriotic Alliance leaders Gayton Mackenzie and Kenny Kunene. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenophobia</span> Dislike of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange

Xenophobia is the fear or dislike of anything which is perceived as being foreign or strange. It is an expression which is based on the perception that a conflict exists between an in-group and an out-group and it may manifest itself in suspicion of one group's activities by members of the other group, a desire to eliminate the presence of the group which is the target of suspicion, and fear of losing a national, ethnic, or racial identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyril Ramaphosa</span> President of South Africa since 2018

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African businessman and politician who is the fifth and current president of South Africa. A former anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader, and businessman, Ramaphosa is also the president of the African National Congress (ANC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma</span> South African politician

Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, sometimes referred to by her initials NDZ, is a South African politician, medical doctor and former anti-apartheid activist. A longstanding member of the African National Congress (ANC), she currently serves as Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and is the Chancellor of the University of Limpopo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula</span> South African politician

Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly since August 2021. She was a cabinet minister from 2004 to 2021, including as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans between June 2012 and August 2021. She was an elected member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) between 2002 and 2022 and is a former president of the ANC Women's League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenophobia in South Africa</span> Attacks against foreigners in South Africa

Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence in South Africa due competition for scarce economic opportunities. After majority rule in 1994, contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia increased. Between 2000 and March 2008, at least 7 people died in what were identified as xenophobic attacks. In May 2008, a series of attacks left 12 people dead; although 10 of those killed were South African citizens. The attacks were partly motivated by xenophobia. In 2015, another nationwide spike in xenophobic attacks against immigrants in general prompted a number of foreign governments to begin repatriating their citizens. A Pew Research poll conducted in 2018 showed that 62% of South Africans viewed immigrants as a burden on society by taking jobs and social benefits and that 61% of South Africans thought that immigrants were more responsible for crime than other groups. Based on various police reports 60% of suspects arrested for violent crimes in Gauteng South Africa are illegal immigrants, between 2015 - 2016. The number of foreign nationals who have been arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) between 2016 and 2019 sit at 7841. Between 2010 and 2017 the illegal immigrant community in South Africa increased from 2 million people to 4 million people. The proportion of South Africa's total population that is foreign born increased from 2.8% in 2005 to 7% in 2019, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, in spite of widespread xenophobia in the country. This made South Africa the largest recipient of immigrants on the African continent in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immigration to South Africa</span> Overview of immigration to South Africa

The Southern Africa region experiences a relatively high influx of immigration into South Africa. As of 2019, the immigration rate is continuing to increase, and the role of the female population of migrants is significantly growing in this movement and settlement. The majority of immigrants are working residents and influence the presence of several sectors in South Africa. The demographic background of this group is diverse, and the countries of origin mainly belong to Sub-Saharan Africa and push migration south. A portion have qualified as refugees since the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Motshekga</span> Minister of Basic Education in South Africa

Matsie Angelina "Angie" Motshekga is a South African politician and educator, serving as the Minister of Basic Education since May 2009. She was also appointed as an acting president of the Republic of South Africa on 2 July 2021, as President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the state funeral of Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia. She was previously a Member of the Executive Council in the Gauteng provincial government. Motshekga is a member of the African National Congress. She is a former president of the party's women's league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Motsoaledi</span> South African politician

Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Home Affairs in the cabinet of South Africa. He was previously the Minister of Health from 2009 to 2019. A member of the National Assembly since 2009, he is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigeria–South Africa relations</span> Bilateral relations

Nigeria–South Africa relations refer to the bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Both countries are former colonies of the British Empire, and both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and African Union. Nigeria has a high commission in Pretoria and consulate general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Abuja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Verryn</span> Methodist minister

Paul Verryn is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Known for his anti-apartheid activism, he was Bishop of the church's Central District between 1997 and 2009. During that period, he was a prominent and controversial figure for his activism against xenophobia, and clashed with the South African government over his decision to accommodate hundreds of refugees at his Central Methodist Church in the Johannesburg city centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic Freedom Fighters</span> Far-left political party in South Africa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a South African far-left pan-Africanist and Marxist–Leninist political party. It was founded by expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema, and his allies, in 2013. Malema is President of the EFF, heading the Central Command Team which serves as the central structure of the party. It is currently the third-largest party in both houses of the South African Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herman Mashaba</span> South African politician

Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba is a South African politician, entrepreneur and the current president of ActionSA, a party he launched on 29 August 2020. He served as the Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019. He is the founder of the hair product company Black Like Me. He is famous in South Africa for his background: he grew up struggling against poverty, and claims to have struggled against the apartheid government, to open his own hair business, which became the biggest hair brand in South Africa, making him a millionaire. He publicly backed Mmusi Maimane in the Democratic Alliance leadership race. He wrote the autobiography Black Like You and his campaign manager, Michael Beaumont, recently published a biography called "The Accidental Mayor". Mashaba refers to himself as a libertarian and "capitalist crusader" whose highest value is "individual freedom."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 South African general election</span>

General elections were held in South Africa on 8 May 2019 to elect a new President, National Assembly and provincial legislatures in each province. These were the sixth elections held since the end of apartheid in 1994 and determined who would become the next President of South Africa.

The 2019 Johannesburg riots occurred in the South African city of Johannesburg from 1–5 September 2019, leading to the deaths of at least seven people. The riots were xenophobic in nature, targeting foreign nationals from other African countries. Retaliatory actions by rioters in other African nations was taken against South African brands. The South African Institute of Race Relations stated that the riots were similar in nature and origin to the 2008 xenophobic riots that also occurred in Johannesburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ActionSA</span> South African political party

ActionSA is a South African political party established by former mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, soon after he left the Democratic Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May 2008 South Africa riots</span>

The May 2008 South African riots was a wave of xenophobic riots starting in Alexandra, Gauteng on 12 May 2008 and then spreading to other locations across South Africa. The violence started when South African residents of Alexandra attacked migrants from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, killing two people and injuring 40 others. Some attackers were reported to have been singing Jacob Zuma's campaign song Umshini Wami.

Events in the year 2022 in South Africa.

Nhlanhla "Lux" Dlamini, also Nhlanhla Mohlauli, is a South African activist, pilot and anti-immigrant activist and former leader of Operation Dudula, a nationalist xenophobic party and group based in Soweto, South Africa.

The uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans' Association (MKMVA) was an auxiliary political organisation affiliated to South Africa's African National Congress (ANC). It was founded in 1996 to represent the interests of individuals who had participated in the armed struggle against apartheid as members of Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the ANC's armed wing. Although its relationship to the ANC and MK was not formally or legally codified, the organisation received a degree of de facto recognition both from the ANC and from the ANC-led government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 South African National Shutdown</span> Protest In response to the South African Energy Crisis

The 2023 South African National Shutdown was a protest held by the political party Economic Freedom Fighters on 20 March 2023, the day before Human Rights Day. The EFF called for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load-shedding. The leader of the EFF, Julius Malema, warned businesses countrywide to close their doors or risk being looted by them.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Myeni, Thabi. "What is Operation Dudula, South Africa's anti-migration vigilante?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 Charlie, Ayanda; Ford, Tamasin (17 September 2023). "Inside South Africa's Operation Dudula: 'Why we hate foreigners'". BBC News.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ho, Ufrieda (16 April 2022). "XENOPHOBIA: Nhlanhla Lux exposed – The disturbing picture behind the masks of the man heading Operation Dudula". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 Bornman, Jan (28 June 2021). "Operation Dudula pushes ahead with hateful politics". The African Mirror. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Bhengu, Cebelihle (11 April 2022). "'Illegal immigration is a crime' — 'Lux' Dlamini denies Operation Dudula is xenophobic". Sunday Times. timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Goba, Thabiso. "Operation Dudula officially launches in KZN". Witness. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Nombembe, Philani (15 May 2022). "Operation Dudula now targeting 'both legal and illegal immigrants'". TimesLIVE.
  8. 1 2 Tassiem, Shafiek (31 March 2022). "Anti-migrant vigilante group Dudula stokes tensions in South Africa". Reuters. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  9. 1 2 Simelane, Bheki C. (25 March 2022). "BEHIND BARS: Arrested Operation Dudula leader Nlhanhla 'Lux' to spend weekend in jail after raid on EFF member's house". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  10. ↑ Mashigo, Lehlohonolo (28 August 2023). "Nhlanhla 'Lux' Mohlauli sentenced as CABC labels him a xenophobic individual". The Star. IOL. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  11. ↑ Nkanjeni, Unathi (26 July 2022). "Nhlanhla Lux cuts ties with Operation Dudula — here's why". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Reporters, Daily Maverick (21 August 2022). "DEEP DIVE (PART ONE): Inside Joburg's building of darkness, where migrants live in fear as Operation Dudula threats amplify". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Sithole, Siyabonga. "Operation Dudula intends to contest 2024 elections as a political party". Independent Online. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Operation Dudula, Afrophobia and the quest for human rights". The Mail & Guardian. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  15. ↑ Majola, Dominic. "Officers on alert over tensions between Operation Dudula and Kopanang Africa". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  16. ↑ AfricaNews (5 April 2022). "Operation Dudula vigilante-like methods cannot be backed by ANC, Ramaphosa". Africanews. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.