Thabo Mbeki Blasts Operation Dudula For Targeting Foreign Nationals: ‘It Hurts’

Former President Thabo Mbeki has spoken out against Operation Dudula, saying it deeply hurts him to see the movement targeting foreign nationals for South Africa’s social and economic challenges.

“When I see things like Operation Dudula, it hurts. We can’t position ourselves as though we’re enemies of other Africans,” Mbeki said.

He was addressing attendees at a Thanksgiving event in Johannesburg on Saturday, marking the 15th anniversary of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.

“It’s not right. There are problems – problems we have got to solve in this country – and we can’t say those problems are caused by people who have migrated to South Africa. We have caused problems … But I’m saying that’s where we come from,” he added.

Operation Dudula’s Growing Influence Raises Concern

Mbeki’s comments come amid rising criticism of Operation Dudula and similar movements across the country. The group, now registered as a political party, has gained notoriety for its campaigns targeting foreign nationals at clinics, hospitals, and schools, particularly in Gauteng.

Members of the group have stationed themselves outside public healthcare facilities to verify the legal status of patients and have also warned school principals not to prioritise undocumented foreign learners for the 2026 academic year.

Comparable actions have been taken by the March and March Movement in KwaZulu-Natal, sparking both public support and condemnation. While some South Africans back these initiatives, others have labelled them xenophobic and inhumane.

‘Africa’s Problems Are Our Shared Responsibility’ – Mbeki

Reflecting on the broader continental issues, Mbeki said that South Africans should recognise they are part of a shared African reality filled with complex challenges.

“There’s a lot to worry about. The stream of people who come to the foundation every day to discuss problems at home, on the continent, and beyond – asking what we can do,” he said.

He noted that the Thabo Mbeki Foundation recently held a meeting on peace and security in Africa, where attendees from across the continent discussed the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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“They said, ‘now, President Mbeki, do something about that.’ They were not requesting; they were insisting. We have since acted as they suggested. I can give many such examples of what the foundation is trying to do,” Mbeki said.

He added that countries such as Sudan face dire humanitarian situations that demand attention. “Look at Sudan, you see terrible things happening both north and south, with no solution in sight. People come to the foundation and say, ‘Do something.’ I think it’s our responsibility; we can’t run away from that.”

Mbeki concluded by urging South Africans to see beyond national borders: “The continent has got these huge problems. South Africa has got these huge problems. They need answers.”

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