Operation Dudula, a controversial South African civic organization, has announced that it will expand its campaign against undocumented foreign nationals by targeting public schools in 2026. The group’s leader, Zanele Dabula, revealed their intentions via a video posted on the organization’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on July 29, 2025.
According to Dabula, Operation Dudula plans to launch the campaign in late December 2025, with full-scale actions expected to begin during the first week of January 2026. The organization has previously drawn national attention for similar actions at public healthcare facilities, where its members have attempted to remove undocumented individuals from receiving medical services.
Dabula made it clear that the group believes public schools should serve South African children only. “No child of a foreign national will be allowed on the premises of public schools,” she said in the video. “If they want to educate their children, they must take them to private schools. Public education is for our own children.”
She went further to suggest that even children of foreign nationals with documentation should be scrutinized. Dabula alleged widespread corruption at the Department of Home Affairs, accusing it of issuing fraudulent papers to undocumented migrants. “Even those claiming to be legal need to be verified. We have a bogus Home Affairs that has been giving out documents illegally,” she claimed.
In her address, Dabula emphasized that South African children must be prioritized in the education system. Only after all local children have been placed in schools should children of documented foreign nationals be considered, she added.
The announcement comes amidst a surge of public debate over the rights of undocumented migrants in South Africa. Gauteng’s Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, recently stated in a July 16 interview that Operation Dudula has no legal authority to remove undocumented migrants from clinics and hospitals. Nonetheless, the organization proceeded with protests in Johannesburg and Durban on July 17, handing over a memorandum to the South African Human Rights Commission accusing the body of favoring foreign nationals.
Reactions to Dudula’s latest campaign have been deeply polarized. Supporters, like a user named Ngwazi, applauded the initiative and suggested the MK party should join forces with Dudula. Another supporter, Sammy, commented, “This is long overdue,” while Lesiba said, “Illegal foreigners should be deported.”
However, not all South Africans agree. Critics argue that targeting children is unethical. One social media user, Kern-Snuffelaar, warned, “Be careful with this one. When people’s kids are involved, things can get violent.” Another user, Gliss, expressed concern for the children: “There are so many illegal foreign kids roaming our streets during school hours. It’s heartbreaking.”
Adding to the controversy, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the issue of migration at the Liberation Movement Summit in Midrand, stating that “migration should not be seen as a threat.” His comments were met with backlash from those who feel undocumented migrants strain public services.
As Operation Dudula ramps up its efforts, the conversation around migration, documentation, and public services continues to heat up — and the nation watches closely as January 2026 approaches.
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