The controversial South African Group, Operation Dudula movement has revealed that it is willing to formally engage with foreign nationals.
The group’s secretary-general, Zandile Dabula, said Operation Dudula was willing to meeting with anyone who was interested in talking about the critical issue of xenophobia. Dabula went on to say that the group was consistent with its cause, which is the fight against illegal immigrants.
“We are not xenophobic. We only want legal foreigners in South Africa.
“They must know where we stand. We are against illegal foreigners in our country. We are also fighting for jobs to be reserved for South Africans,” Dabula said.
Reacting to the tweet in which the movement declined an invitation from the Nigerians in South Africa for a dialogue, the chairperson of the Dudula Movement Msyza Tsatsi, said they hadn’t received any formal invitation to attend the said dialogue.
“Had we been invited, we were going to honour it. We were going to attend only if the police were going to be present. We need to sit down and deliver our message. The Nigerians in SA must know what our demands are.”
“We want the government to see that we are willing to engage with foreigners. We maintain that we would not have so many illegal foreigners in our country if our government tightened our borders,” said Tsatsi.
The group have faced lots of backlash for promoting violence against foreigners. However, they have consistently maintained that they are not xenophobic, but are fighting to ensure that the rights of South Africans are not taken from them.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Home Affairs spokesperson Angel Khanyile, has condemned the activities of the groups. In her words:
“We condemn the xenophobic rhetoric, subsequent illegality and violence against foreigners in South Africa that seem part and parcel of Operation Dudula,”
She added that those secretly fanning the flames of xenophobia in the country to score xheap political points will feel the repercussions of their actions when the entire country erupts in chaos again.
Meanwhile, Operation Dudula leader, Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini has been released from jail. Few days after his release, he claimed that his life was under threats from unknown persons.
“There are talks that I won’t spend more than two weeks outside… I am going to be shot dead. Should it happen, I will be the happiest person underground. I would be glad to die for people,” Dlamini said.
Following Dlamini’s bail, foreign nationals have expressed concern, as there is every likelihood that violence be targeted against foreigners in South Africa.