ZANU-PF accuses Operation Dudula of targeting Africans, movement responds

ZANU-PF accuses Operation Dudula of targeting Africans, movement hits back

Zimbabwe’s governing party, ZANU-PF, has accused South Africa’s Operation Dudula of being influenced by former colonial powers to target fellow Africans. This comes after the movement blocked undocumented migrants from accessing healthcare facilities in South Africa.

Speaking in response to the allegations, Operation Dudula rejected the claims and clarified that their stance is against illegal migration, not immigrants in general.

“We are not anti-immigrants. We are anti-illegal migrants in the country. We will not be dictated by foreigners on how to run our country. We are guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” the movement said.

Operation Dudula further argued that Zimbabweans had developed a sense of entitlement in South Africa, accusing ZANU-PF of deflecting from its governance failures.

“ZANU-PF has been voted out but continues to bully its people. Millions of Zimbabweans are flocking to South Africa—it is not true that there are only one million. We are on the ground; we see what’s happening in the employment sectors,” the movement added.

Dismissing the claims of foreign funding, Dudula insisted that they are fighting against cheap labor practices that benefit businesses.

“How can we be funded by colonizers when we are saying foreigners must leave? It is the same former colonizers using foreigners for cheap labor. We want South Africans to own industries, bakeries, and businesses—hence we demand that illegal migrants return home and fix their countries.”

The group also maintained that healthcare in South Africa should prioritize locals, saying undocumented migrants should use private facilities and pay for services.

“It cannot be correct that South Africa is a free-for-all where foreigners come for free medical attention while our people suffer. We pay in their countries; they must pay here too.”

Operation Dudula went further, suggesting that Zimbabweans should create their own grassroots movement to confront ZANU-PF.

“We advise Zimbabweans to form their own Operation Dudula and fight ZANU-PF, because it is their government that has failed them. They cannot shift their problems onto South Africa.”

The movement reiterated that their actions are guided by immigration laws, which clearly state that anyone living, working, or studying in South Africa must have the correct documentation and visas.