Operation Dudula members marching in Soweto. Image Credits: @OperationDudula/Facebook
(The Post News)- The National Health Department has warned Operation Dudula demonstrators that blocking access to healthcare facilities will not be tolerated.
This follows a protest at the Lillian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, Soweto, where members of Operation Dudula allegedly confronted patients about their nationality and demanded identity documents. Three protesters, who are women between 49 and 60, were detained and charged with trespassing and public violence.
The trio, who were held at the Diepkloof police station, were released on free bail. They were met outside by a crowd of Operation Dudula supporters.
The two-month-long campaign has faced criticism from the government and civil society groups, especially on their 2026 plans to prevent undocumented foreign children from accessing public schools. Equal Education (EE) and the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) have strongly denounced these “unlawful” plans, adding “Children should never be collateral damage of the failures of those in power,”.
National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said that the department has reached out to the movement’s leadership to address the issue through dialogue and find long-lasting solutions. He said the issue goes beyond healthcare and is rooted in wider societal problems, but believes it can be resolved if approached with a sober mind.
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