On Monday, July 25, Operation Dudula and Nhlanhla “Lux” Dlamini’s Soweto Parliament convened a press conference to address recent disagreements between the two organisations and “to mitigate further damage.”
President of the Soweto Parliament, Dlamini, and deputy chairman of Operation Dudula, Dan Radebe, both disputed that there is a breach between the two parties, which were before almost interchangeable.
However, Dlamini, who has been the face of Operation Dudula until now, has stated that he will “exclusively” focus on the Soweto Parliament and its programmes.
Two discussions between the organisations that resulted in a deadlock preceded the announcement. However, following the second meeting, the organisations decided to collaborate on certain issues under different brands.
“Operation Dudula’s stance on all foreigners leaving South Africa versus Soweto Parliament’s stance which is getting rid of only illegal immigrants which has timeously been reiterated by leader Nhlanhla Lux Mohauli on various media platforms and during operations…
“It is against this backdrop that the two organisations resolved to work together albeit away from each other and future collaborations will be clarified with time for the benefit of all South Africans,” read a joint statement.
Large segments of society have criticised Operation Dudula for being xenophobic despite its repeated denials of the charge.
As was previously mentioned, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the organisation in April and called it “a vigilante type” organisation.
“We cannot support a vigilante-type of move against a group of people — and particularly targeting them as foreign nationals, because when we are doing then is just to divide our people on the African continent,” said Ramaphosa.
Operation Dudula’s Regional Secretary for Greater Tshwane, Patrick Mokgalusi, described the movement as a “pressure group” that works to ensure that the government upholds its own immigration regulations at the organisation’s Cape Town launch in May.
The group is exerting pressure on businesses and employers that hire foreign nationals regardless of their immigration status, as seen by the unified statement and recent activities.