Operation Dudula in South Africa is taking shape targeting illegal immigrants blaming them for South Africa’s economic stagnation and their politicians pour fuel into this xenophobic posturing. Yet behind demonizing illegal immigrants lie a naked truth: South African institutions are collapsing amidst runaway official graft. This discourse dives deep into the contradictions of scapegoating illegal immigrants to obscure the morass and defer institutional reforms South Africa urgently needs.
📌 My Take: Operation Dudula’s Actions Are Xenophobic Scapegoating, Not “Harsh Reality“.
While South Africa faces genuine economic strain, Operation Dudula’s campaign scapegoats migrants for systemic failures. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:
🔍 1. Operation Dudula’s Rhetoric vs. Facts.
– Xenophobic Foundation:
The group explicitly targets African migrants, using slogans like “Burn the foreigner” and blocking access to healthcare and jobs. Members openly state, “I hate foreigners“.
– Misleading Claims:
They argue migrants “steal jobs” and “cause crime,” yet data shows:
– Migrants comprise “6.5%” of South Africa’s population (not the exaggerated 17–40% believed by many citizens).
– Migrants contribute “9% to GDP” (higher than their population share) and often create jobs—each working migrant hires ~2 locals.
– Drug crimes are blamed on foreigners, but SAPS statistics don’t support this.
⚖️ 2. Economic Hardship ≠ Justification for Xenophobia.
– Real Problems, Wrong Target:
– Unemployment:
At 33%, joblessness fuels frustration, but migrants aren’t the cause. Studies confirm migrants fill labor gaps (e.g., in trade) and stimulate local economies.
– Service Delivery Failures:
Blaming migrants for strained healthcare/schools ignores “government corruption” and inefficiency. For example, Home Affairs’ backlog exacerbates undocumented migration.
– Vigilantism Harms Communities:
Raids on migrant-owned shops destroy livelihoods of both migrants and South African employees/landlords.
Perceptions vs. Realities of Migrant Impact:
| No. | Issue. | Perception (Op Dudula). | Reality (Data). |
| 1.0 | Job Competition. | Migrants steal jobs. | Migrants create jobs; hire locals. |
| 2.0 | Crime. | Foreigners dominate the drug trade. | No evidence; SAPS stats implicate locals. |
| 3.0 | Economic Burden. | Drain resources. | Contribute 9% to GDP. |
🏛️ 3. Political Exploitation of Desperation.
– Opportunism:
Operation Dudula morphed into a political party in 2023, exploiting anger before the 2024 elections. Leaders like Zandile Dabula spread baseless claims (e.g., a migrant “20-year takeover plan”).
– Government Complicity:
Police and Home Affairs have been accused of colluding in raids. Though President Ramaphosa condemned Dudula as “vigilante-like“, state inaction fuels impunity.
– Broader Trend:
Parties like the EFF and Patriotic Alliance echo anti-migrant rhetoric to distract from governance failures.
- South African leaders’ Anti Immigration Rhetoric: A Key Catalyst.
South African politicians, including some prominent figures, have indeed made statements blaming immigrants for the country’s economic problems.
That being said, here are some notable examples of politicians making anti-immigrant statements:
– Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA:
Claimed foreign nationals who run tuckshops use their businesses as illicit drug channels, destroying small businesses in townships and villages. He also called for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.
– Gayton McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance:
Said foreign nationals “must go home” because they’re responsible for crime, drug peddling, unemployment, and other problems.
– Kenny Kunene, Deputy President of the Patriotic crime and Johannesburg’s Mayoral Committee for Transport: Called for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants occupying abandoned buildings.
The issue of immigration has become increasingly politicized in South Africa, with some parties using it as a scapegoat for the country’s problems. However, research suggests that South African socio-economic problems are not caused by immigrants but rather by poor governance and corruption.
President Cyril Ramaphosa Policy Of Ambiguity.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s stance on illegal immigration and economic issues is “nuanced and contextual”, emphasizing systemic governance challenges while rejecting xenophobic scapegoating. Here is a detailed analysis based on documented statements and policies:
🚫 A. Explicit Rejection of Immigrant Blame.
Ramaphosa consistently “reframes economic grievances” away from migrants:
– “Crime, not migrants”, is identified as the “common enemy” requiring collective action. He stresses that perpetrators of crime span all demographics, including citizens and foreigners.
– “Vigilantism is condemned” as “immoral, racist, and criminal,” with comparisons to apartheid-era oppression where black people were forced to produce identification documents (“dompas”).
– He warns that blaming migrants for unemployment, crime, or strained services “risks igniting xenophobic violence”, as seen in past outbreaks (2008, 2015, 2019).
⚖️ B. Acknowledgment of Broader Challenges.
While addressing ”illegal” migration, Ramaphosa “avoids conflating it with economic failures”:
– “Illegal migration” is recognized as a “secondary burden” on public services (healthcare, education) and security. However, he attributes root causes to “governance gaps”, like corruption in immigration systems and inadequate policing.
– “Economic pressures” (35%+ unemployment, inequality) are highlighted as drivers of social tension, but he notes:
“Today, our anger may be directed at nationals from Zimbabwe… Tomorrow, our anger may be directed at each other” .
🛠️ C. Policy Responses Focused on Systemic Reform.
Ramaphosa’s solutions “target institutional weaknesses”, not migrants:
– Policing reforms:
Recruiting 12,000 additional officers and reviving community policing forums to address crime.
– Border control:
Enhancing enforcement against “syndicates perpetrating immigration fraud” via corrupt officials.
– Public health:
Rejecting “medical xenophobia,” he affirms healthcare as a universal right, including for undocumented migrants.
🗣️ D. Critique of Political Populism.
Ramaphosa “denounces opportunistic rhetoric” that blames migrants:
– He criticizes figures like Health Minister Phophi Ramathuba, who accused a Zimbabwean patient of straining healthcare resources, calling such acts “lawlessness“.
– “Operation Dudula” (“force out”), a vigilante group targeting migrant-owned businesses, is implicitly rebuked as a threat to social cohesion.
– He attributes rising anti-migrant sentiment to “politicians deflecting from governance failures”, such as food safety scandals or waste management crises.
E. Not Firing His Xenophobic Ministers.
His inaction is a condonation of what his appointees do.
💎 Conclusion.
Ramaphosa “avoids simplistic blame on illegal immigrants” for economic woes, instead framing these as symptoms of deeper issues: crime, unemployment, and state incapacity. His rhetoric balances “border enforcement” with “human rights protections”, positioning xenophobia as a moral and historical regression. However, his administration faces criticism for insufficiently curbing populist narratives within his own party.
🌍 4. Consequences: Violence and Regional Instability.
– Human Costs:
Migrants face evictions, assaults, and even murder (e.g., a Zimbabwean man burned alive).
– Cycle of Retaliation:
Attacks on South Africans in neighboring countries (e.g., looted SA-owned stores) risk regional conflict.
– Undermining Rule of Law:
Dudula’s “citizen arrests” and property seizures bypass legal processes, eroding constitutional rights.
💡 5. Solutions Must Address Root Causes, Not Migrants.
– Fix Institutions:
Overhaul Home Affairs to process documentation efficiently; prosecute corruption.
– Economic Reforms:
Invest in job creation and services—**not** migrant expulsion.
– Counter Xenophobia:
Enforce hate-speech laws and promote integration (e.g., community dialogues).
✊ Conclusion.
South Africa’s economic struggles are real, but Operation Dudula’s campaign is unequivocally xenophobic. It diverts blame from decades of state failure and risks fragmenting communities.
As researcher Loren Landau stresses, “Scapegoating migrants won’t fix unemployment or corruption—it just deepens the crisis”. The true “harsh reality” is that without accountable governance and social cohesion, South Africa’s tensions will only worsen.
Are Not South African Politicians Exploiting Xenophobia To Camouflage Their Own Corruption And Incompetence?
The assertion that South African politicians exploit xenophobia to divert attention from their own governance failures is supported by extensive evidence from political rhetoric, policy inaction, and socio-economic analysis. Here’s a critical examination of this dynamic:
⚖️ 1. Scapegoating as Political Strategy.
– Rhetorical Diversion:
Politicians like Gayton McKenzie (Patriotic Alliance) and Herman Mashaba (former Johannesburg mayor) explicitly frame immigrants as “criminals” and “job thieves“.
Julius Malema (EFF) and ANC figures, including ex-President Jacob Zuma, have echoed these claims, with Zuma stating, “Our people are not xenophobic but fighting for what is rightfully theirs” . This rhetoric shifts blame from “state corruption” and “economic mismanagement” to vulnerable non-nationals.
– Data vs. Perception:
Empirical studies show immigrants constitute only “6.5%” of South Africa’s population and contribute “9% to GDP”, often creating jobs for locals. Yet, politicians amplify myths of “foreigner-dominated crime” despite SAPS data refuting such links.
📢 2. Opportunism and Electoral Gains.
– Populist Campaigns:
Operation Dudula and the Patriotic Alliance morphed anti-immigrant vigilantism into political platforms, with McKenzie’s “Abahambe” (“They must go”) rallies securing parliamentary seats in 2024. These campaigns exploit “genuine economic despair”—51% youth unemployment, failing public services—while offering no substantive solutions.
– Distraction Tactics:
Politicians like McKenzie publish COVID-19 relief lists to pit artists against each other or stage border “patrols,” diverting scrutiny from their own scandals (e.g., McKenzie’s alleged misappropriation of R3 million in Karoo).
🏛️ 3. Institutional Complicity and Policy Failures.
– Broken Systems:
The Department of Home Affairs’ inefficiency—backlogged documentation, porous borders—fuels undocumented migration. Instead of reforming institutions, politicians scapegoat migrants for the state’s failures.
– Law Enforcement Bias:
Police conduct “counterfeit raids” targeting migrant shops, confiscate goods for resale, and ignore xenophobic violence. Victims report SAPS indifference, with officers dismissing attacks as “criminality,” not hate crimes.
– Anti-Corruption Sabotage:
Despite the “National Action Plan (NAP)” against xenophobia, implementation is anemic. No dedicated portal exists for reporting xenophobic incidents, and whistleblowers face retaliation.
📉 4. Socio-Economic Roots of Xenophobia.
– Resource Competition:
Housing backlogs (”2.1 million units”), water shortages, and electricity cuts inflame tensions. Politicians frame these as “immigrant-driven” rather than addressing “corruption” in infrastructure projects.
– Weaponized Desperation:
As scholar Nicky Falkof notes, fear of “outsiders” is stoked to mask elite failures. Middle-class citizens resist affordable housing in their areas, deepening segregation.
💥 5. Consequences: Violence and Regional Instability.
– Human Toll:
HRW documents mob attacks like the 2019 Johannesburg riots, where 1,000+ Bangladeshi shops were looted while police delayed responses. Students like “Nathalie” (DRC) face brutal assaults in schools.
– Regional Fallout:
Retaliatory attacks on South African businesses in Nigeria and Zambia followed, risking continental trade and diplomacy.
🔍 6. Political Denial and Gaslighting.
– State Narratives:
Cabinet statements condemn “misinformation” and emphasize “social cohesion” but avoid acknowledging xenophobia’s systemic roots. The 2025 State of the Nation Address prioritized infrastructure investment without linking it to migrant inclusion.
– False Equivalence:
Leaders like Ramaphosa equate xenophobia with “crime,” ignoring its political orchestration.
💡 Solutions Beyond Scapegoating.
– Accountability Mechanisms:
Implement the NAP with measurable indicators, whistleblower protections, and dedicated xenophobia reporting systems.
– Economic Reforms:
Invest in skills programs and land reform (e.g., the Expropriation Act) to address inequality, not migrant exclusion.
– Media & Education:
Counter “victim journalism” with nuanced narratives on migration and integrate anti-xenophobia curricula in schools.
📌 Conclusion.
South African politicians “do exploit xenophobia” to camouflage corruption and incompetence. This diversionary tactic perpetuates violence, erodes social cohesion, and delays meaningful reform. As Human Rights Watch stresses, ending this requires naming perpetrators, fixing institutions, and centering policies on dignity—not division . Until then, xenophobia remains a weaponized smokescreen for elite failure.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
