Tensions flared as members of Operation Dudula staged marches in Durban, protesting against undocumented migrants accessing public healthcare facilities. The group accused the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) of prioritizing foreigners over citizens, claiming that the country’s resources are overstretched and should be reserved for South Africans first.
Protests Turn Focus on Healthcare Access
Demonstrators blocked entry points to hospitals and clinics, demanding that the government enforce stricter immigration controls. A spokesperson for Operation Dudula argued that the SAHRC has failed South Africans, stating:
“The Human Rights Commission mostly stands for immigrants, not our people. Our government is failing to apply the constitution properly—the Immigration Act says South Africans must come first.”
The group insists that undocumented foreigners should not be entitled to public services, including healthcare, and called for mass deportations.
Mashaba: “South Africa Cannot Be Everything to the World”
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, a vocal critic of illegal immigration, weighed in on the protests, expressing sympathy for the frustrations of citizens. He highlighted the dire economic conditions facing South Africans, with over 50% unsure of their next meal, while the country struggles to accommodate foreign nationals.
“We have no capacity to take care of our own people, yet we want to be everything to the rest of the world,” Mashaba said. “Our hospitals, schools, and social services are collapsing under the strain.”
While Mashaba distanced himself from illegal blockades, he called for urgent constitutional reforms, arguing that the current framework unfairly benefits undocumented migrants. He cited the constitutional preamble—“South Africa belongs to all who live in it”—as problematic, claiming it neglects citizens’ needs.
“If we don’t act now, people will take the law into their own hands,” he warned, urging lawmakers to amend immigration policies to prioritize South Africans.
Border Security Crisis Worsens
The protests come as the Border Management Authority (BMA) revealed severe understaffing, with only 2,600 officers patrolling the country’s borders—far short of the 11,000 needed. BMA head Mike Masiapato labeled the situation a “national risk,” citing inadequate funding and manpower.
Mashaba criticized the government’s failure to secure borders, linking it to the broader immigration crisis. “We can’t even feed our own people—how can we take care of the world?” he asked, advocating for stricter visa requirements and mass deportations of undocumented migrants.
Growing Public Backlash
The protests reflect rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where unemployment and poverty fuel resentment. Critics argue that the government’s inaction has left citizens feeling abandoned, while undocumented migrants access scarce resources.
As tensions escalate, calls for policy reform grow louder. Whether the government will act—or if further unrest will follow—remains uncertain.
For now, the message from protesters is clear: South Africans demand to come first.