Pressure group Operation Dudula has sworn to defend its schools campaign aimed at prioritizing South African pupils over undocumented foreigner’s children in schools across the country in court.
The organisation has dismissed arguments that its campaign violates the country’s constitution and is in contempt of the High Court ruling on the matter.
Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula told YOUFM Newshour that those who lead counter-campaigns and seek to push back against their campaign are not affected by the aftermaths of undocumented foreigners flooding the schooling and healthcare systems in the country.
‘Yes, definitely we are ready (to defend this campaign in court) we are not faceless, and we stand for what we start.
All we are saying is for South Africans to be prioritized.
There are laws but enforcement is a problem.
I’m talking about a recently enacted Bela Act that clearly explains that all children in schools must be accounted for, and their parents must be documented.
In the absence of those documents it means we must also open cases against their parents,” said Dabula.
Dabula said that their campaign will be conducted within the confines of the law and with the assistance of law enforcement agencies.
“We are always calling for increased police visibility during our operations and reject claims that we are acting unlawfully.
We are not violent and not colluding with authorities as many have suggested.
I repeat there’s no law that we are breaking, we are just putting South Africans first, that’s all,” emphasised Dabula.
She reiterated that their schools’ campaign is not aimed at depriving children of foreign nationals of education in South Africa, but argues that due to high demand and limited resources, immigrant children must be enrolled at private schools instead of public ones.
“In one school that we visited on Monday, we found that the principal is sitting with 600 learners comprising 50% of undocumented Basotho children.
What must we do in this instance?
Open a case against teachers, because they are clearly violating the constitution that says harbouring illegal immigrants is illegal,” asked Dabula.
Meanwhile, the organisation has recently come under fire, facing widespread criticism for leading operations to block undocumented foreigners from accessing healthcare services in the country.
Despite this, Dabula has defended their actions.
“Our healthcare facilities are overwhelmed.
South Africans are running short of medicine and admission space in hospitals because they have already admitted illegal foreigners, and we are expected to keep quiet?
No, that’s not right,” reiterated Dabula.
The Gauteng Department of Education has pledged to call the police on Operation Dudula if it continues with campaigns that disrupt the province’s academic programme in the new school year.
