By Sihle Mavuso
One of the founders and prominent leaders of the Operation Dudula Movement, Zandile Dabula, has announced that she is leaving the quasi-political movement known for its tough stance against illegal immigrants in South Africa.
In a leaked letter dated 25 April 2026, Dabula announced that she would leave the movement next month (17 May 2026).
The letter was addressed to the leaders of the movement.
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Amongst the issues she said are forcing her out were internal division, saying they are defocusing the movement from executing what it was formed for.
She has also noted her desire not to contest political leadership.
“In the interest of transparency and institutional accountability, I consider it necessary to place on record the factors that have materially informed my intention to resign: Persistent internal divisions, often characterised by ill-informed engagements that detract from strategic focus and organizational cohesion; erosion of respect for internal organizational processes, which are essential for discipline, governance, and collective decision-making,” the letter states.
Dabula also cites what she calls the limited participation of skilled and informed individuals in meaningful roles, thereby constraining the organisation’s ability to benefit from expertise required for sustainable growth and effective political participation.
“Concerns regarding compliance obligations, particularly the need for full and consistent adherence by the political party to the requirements of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC),” is another issue she raisws in the letter.
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Operation Dudula is registered as a political party and is targeting the upcoming Local Government Elections.
Dabula added that she believes that she is not a suitable to help the movement as it enters the political arena and contest the elections.
“Having reflected on the organization’s journey, I have concluded that my contribution is better suited within the civic and societal discourse rather than in political leadership.”
“Members of Operation Dudula have made significant personal sacrifices. It is for this reason that I must state that I do not believe I am the most suitable person to lead the organization into contesting state power.”
“I will retain my independence as a citizen and voter and may support any political party aligned with firm, lawful, and effective action on illegal migration. Until such determination, I will dedicate myself to civic engagement and community-based initiatives, contributing to national dialogue on migration, governance, and social cohesion.” Dabula stated.
Contacted for comment, Dabula confirmed that the letter came from her and she will soon call a press to publicly announce her decision. “Yes it’s legit (the letter), (I) will call a media briefing,” she told Inside Politics.
The movement has repeatedly clashed with the state and rights groups over its stance on immigrants in South Africa.
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In November last year, the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg interdicted activists of the movement from disrupting and blocking foreign nationals from accessing social services, around the country.
The court interdicted them following a spate of disruptions in healthcare facilities and schools in Johannesburg after it was approached by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of SA.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the movement was accused of working hand in hand with the March and March Movement to allegedly block foreign nationals from accessing the Addington Hospital along Durban’s beachfront. It was also alleged that the two movements jointly blocked Addington Primary school, demanding that children of foreign nationals should give way to stranded children of South Africans.
