Nigerian leaders in South Africa have condemned fresh attacks on foreigners at public hospitals by an anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula, describing the action as criminal and a violation of the South African Constitution.
In a viral video clip seen by Afrocover, one of the group’s leaders was captured ordering non-South Africans out of a public hospital.
“If you know yourself that you are not a South African, please stand up. Stand up right now. Don’t try us because we are going to check everybody,” he declared while marching them out of the facility.
Speaking on the development, a Nigerian community leader, Mr. Nwobi, described the actions as unlawful and dangerous.
“Some of the foreigners being denied access to public hospitals do not have the funds to go to private hospitals. The operation is purely illegal as it violates Section 27 of the South African Constitution,” he stated.
Nwobi further alleged that some of the campaigners were not even South Africans by birth.
“For instance, the young man you saw in the viral video chasing foreigners out of the hospital is a South African by descent and Nigerian by birth. He has dual citizenship. According to these people, if you can’t speak the South African language, you are not a citizen of the country. But they have forgotten that you can be a citizen by naturalisation,” he added.
Operation Dudula, which began as a grassroots movement, claims it is fighting illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and what it describes as the takeover of jobs and services by foreigners.
Reports indicate that members of the group have been blocking clinics, inspecting businesses, and confronting immigrants across the country.
Despite condemnation by South African authorities, Nigerian leaders say the harassment has continued, heightening fears of another wave of xenophobic violence.
They are calling for urgent diplomatic intervention to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in the country.
Also, operation Dudula, founded in Soweto in 2021 and now a registered political party, claims its “Put South Africa First” slogan addresses crime, unemployment, and strained public services caused by undocumented migrants.
The group’s name, meaning “to force out” in isiZulu, reflects its goal of expelling perceived illegal immigrants, whom it accuses of fueling drug trafficking and job theft.
Meanwhile, President Zandile Dabula recently announced plans for a December 2025 school blockade campaign to bar non-South African children from enrollment, signaling further escalation.
The DA has called for public order policing to protect facilities, while Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema branded the group “thugs” perpetuating “anarchy” and a “sickness” of xenophobia rooted in poverty and inequality.
However, the Nigerian Consulate has faced backlash for its muted response, with NUSA accusing it of failing to safeguard citizens amid historical patterns of attacks dating back to 1998.
