Operation Dudula Protest Near G20 Summit Leads to Arrests, Highlighting Immigration Debate
[Suggested image placeholder: Police officers standing near protest barricades outside the Nasrec Expo Centre.]
South African police arrested several members of the Operation Dudula movement during a protest march near the G20 Summit venue in Nasrec on Friday, bringing the group’s campaign against illegal immigration to the doorstep of the global gathering.
The demonstrators, marching close to the Nasrec Expo Centre where world leaders were convening, called for international attention to what they describe as the negative impacts of undocumented migration on employment, crime rates, and public service access in South Africa.
Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula stated the protest was strategically planned to capture the attention of global leaders without interfering with the summit’s official proceedings. She framed the demonstration as an effort to elevate immigration to the status of a recognized national challenge.
“The only reason we are there is to get the President’s attention,” Dabula said, clarifying the group’s intent. “We do not want to disrupt the summit, and problems arise only when law enforcement works against communities.”
The Dudula protest occurred alongside a larger, separate demonstration organized by over a hundred civil society groups, which focused on global economic justice, wealth redistribution, and climate action. This juxtaposition underscored the diverse range of issues vying for attention at the international forum.
Dudula targets world leaders
Dabula articulated the core grievances driving the movement, stating that many South Africans continue to face difficulties securing employment, accessing quality services, and feeling safe, concerns she directly links to illegal immigration. She urged world leaders to include the topic in their discussions to support South Africa in addressing the issue.
The protest and subsequent arrests come against a significant legal backdrop. Earlier this week, the Johannesburg High Court granted a wide-ranging interdict against Operation Dudula, prohibiting its members from harassing, intimidating, or obstructing foreign nationals.
Civil society groups also protest
That court order was the result of an application brought by a coalition of social justice organizations, including Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner City Federation, and the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA. The legal action highlights the ongoing tension between anti-immigration activism and efforts to combat xenophobia within the country.
The presence of the Dudula protest at a major international event signals a strategic effort to globalize a deeply domestic political issue, reflecting the persistent socio-economic pressures that continue to shape South Africa’s political landscape.
Legal restrictions against Dudula remain in place
Source: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/watch-protesters-being-arrested-at-dudula-march-near-g20-summit/