“I’m Not Zimbabwean”: Dabula Rejects Allegations as Deportation Demands Escalate
Zandile Dabula, the leader of Operation Dudula, is facing mounting calls for deportation after critics accused her of being a Zimbabwean national.
She has strongly denied the allegations, stating that she was born in Diepkloof, Soweto, and describing the claims as part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
The controversy intensified this week as social media users questioned her identity and accused her of hypocrisy due to her movement’s anti-immigrant stance.
“I am a bona fide citizen of this country. I was born and bred in Diepkloof in Soweto and not in Zimbabwe.
“That is the only reason I want to put my fellow South Africans first, because I know their struggles,” Dabula told journalists on Monday.
She alleged that members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were behind efforts to discredit her.
“We are aware of the plottings and they are coming from those red berets. I know there were campaigns launched to decampaign me but it is not working,” she said.
Operation Dudula, which was launched in 2021, has come under fire for its confrontational actions targeting undocumented immigrants.
The group recently blocked foreign nationals from accessing public healthcare facilities, arguing that they are placing excessive pressure on South Africa’s already strained health system.
According to TimesLIVE, the movement escalated its campaign this week by targeting public schools, threatening to prevent foreign children from enrolling.
This prompted swift intervention from the Gauteng Department of Education, which reaffirmed that all children — regardless of nationality have the constitutional right to education.
Human rights organisations, including the South African Human Rights Commission, have condemned Operation Dudula’s tactics.
They warned that the group’s actions violate basic human rights and contribute to rising xenophobic sentiment across the country.
Despite widespread criticism, Dabula remains defiant.
She maintains that her activism is driven by patriotism and a commitment to prioritising the needs of South African citizens.
The debate surrounding her identity and the movement’s controversial methods continues to fuel national outrage and deepen political divisions.
