Members of the group Operation Dudula clashed with police on Tuesday after defying authorized protest routes and attempting to block a key access road used by world leaders attending the G20 summit, authorities said.
The incident led to the arrest of two men and the hospitalization of one police officer.
In a statement, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the protest by Operation Dudula “turned unruly” when the group forcefully marched towards the summit venue at Nasrec. She stated that the group attempted to blockade the crucial Bara–Nasrec access road.
“We have arrested two of them, a 48-year-old man and a 54-year-old man,” said Brigadier Mathe. “We have charged them with public violence [and] assaulting of a police officer.”
Mathe detailed that during the scuffle, protesters resisted police orders to return to a designated speaker’s corner, threw objects, and pepper-sprayed officers. One officer was taken to a hospital for medical care as a result.
A third charge was added for contravening a court order against Operation Dudula that bars them from intimidating and harassing foreign nationals. Mathe explained that by attempting to blockade the road used by foreign heads of state and dignitaries, the group was in violation of that order.
The group’s grievances, according to the police spokesperson, revolve around “the everyday issues on the illegal foreign nationals in the country.” Operation Dudula has publicly stated that it believes undocumented immigrants are a drain on South Africa’s resources.
Brigadier Mathe contrasted the Dudula protest with other demonstrations held on the same day, which she described as peaceful and lawful. She mentioned groups including “members of the judiciary” and women demonstrating against gender-based violence, who protested “within the confines of the law.”
“What we are not going to tolerate is the lawlessness, barricading of roads and the attempt to disrupt the G20 leader summit,” Mathe stated.
When asked about the overall security operation for the high-profile event, which has drawn comparisons to the 2013 funeral of former President Nelson Mandela in its scale, Mathe expressed confidence.
“So far, everything is going according to plan,” she said, citing South Africa’s track record of hosting major events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “We are quite happy everything is going according to plan.”
With the summit continuing, Mathe issued a warning to Operation Dudula, which she indicated may return to protest on the second day.
“If they do come back, they should protest within the confines of the law,” she said. “We do not have a problem with people that protest within the confines of the law.”