Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula has responded to Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, after it criticised the movement’s stance on foreign nationals accessing healthcare in South Africa.
Speaking to IOL News, Dabula rejected claims that her movement promoted colonial-era divisions.
She insisted that South Africa would not be dictated to by outsiders and said Operation Dudula’s actions were guided by the Constitution and immigration laws.
Her remarks came after Zanu-PF’s director of information, Farai Marapira, accused the campaign against undocumented migrants of betraying Ubuntu and continuing colonial tactics of dividing Africans.
Dabula Dismisses Zanu-PF Criticism, Speaks on Zimbabweans
Marapira argued that Africans could not be considered foreigners on their own continent and stressed that borders were imposed under colonialism.
Dabula dismissed his comments as baseless and denied suggestions that outside powers funded her movement.
“They should focus on fixing their own country,” Dabula said. “Zimbabweans are fleeing because Zanu-PF has failed them. They are taking up space in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.”
She insisted that Zimbabweans in South Africa far exceeded official estimates, accusing them of straining jobs, schools and public services.
Healthcare Dispute
On healthcare, Dabula said Operation Dudula was not seeking to deny treatment to all migrants but wanted foreign nationals to pay for public healthcare or use private facilities.
“We are not saying they should not get treatment. We are saying they must pay, just like South Africans do,” she said.
Marapira had argued that healthcare was a universal human right.
Dabula said Zanu-PF’s failures had pushed Zimbabweans to depend on South African services.
She warned the ANC’s ties with Zanu-PF could drag South Africa down the same path.
Dabula urged Zimbabweans to form their own version of Operation Dudula in Zimbabwe to challenge Zanu-PF directly. “We will help them,” she said.
Do you think Operation Dudula’s call for Zimbabweans to start a similar movement against Zanu-PF is realistic or dangerous?
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