Marcus Moloko
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has interdicted members of Operation Dudula from engaging in a wide range of actions targeting foreign nationals.
The ruling, handed down on Tuesday, follows a joint application by civil society groups, including Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, and Abahlali baseMjondolo. They were represented by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI).
The court ruled in SERI’s favour, saying that only immigration or police officers are legally empowered under the Immigration Act to demand identity documents from individuals.
Private citizens, including members of Operation Dudula, had no authority unless explicitly empowered by law.
Operation Dudula, together with anti-foreigner group March and March, have in recent months been stopping people outside public clinics and demanding identification, saying that public health facilities should only be for South Africans. They have done the same at public schools, where they have
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