Police in Gauteng launched a criminal investigation into Operation Dudula and its leader, Zandile Dubula, following the death of a one-year-old denied healthcare.
The EFF accused the movement of conducting a “barbaric” campaign of stopping allegedly illegal foreigners from accessing services at public healthcare facilities across the country.
The EFF vowed to back citizens denied healthcare in Soweto after movement members violated their constitutional rights.
EFF calls for full documentation
Speaking outside the Alexandra police station, EFF regional chairperson Nkululeko Dunga said the party has a clear position on immigration.
“The EFF stance is that everyone must be documented and accounted for. The State must have the ability to track every person’s movement in the country. But this doesn’t mean we must allow lawlessness to raise its ugly head in the guise of some misguided patriotism.”
“The EFF will not allow our public facilities to be hijacked and run through the logic of vigilante groups like Operation Dudula,” he added.
EFF condemns women forced to give birth outside clinics
“A young lady, Grace Banda, was denied entrance to all clinics around Alexandra until her sick child died.
The EFF condemned Dudula members who force pregnant women to give birth outside clinic gates to score cheap political points.
Human lives are a much greater price for such political stunts,” he said.
The party further accused the police of failing to prevent the movement and its members of carrying out their campaign against immigrants.
“The EFF also condemns in the strongest terms the inaction of the police, who continue to stand by and allow these vigilantes to terrorise patients and staff at state facilities. This inaction emboldens them to now enter schools, harass children, and demand that they prove their citizenship. Equally, we warn clinics and hospital managers who allow this to happen,” the party said.
Police register case at Alexandra station
On Sunday, Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said officers at the Alexandra police station had registered a case.
“The police have opened an inquiry docket. Once the investigation is complete, the docket will be taken to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision,” Masondo said.
